Multiswitch sky+ problem

[Zebethyal]

Hi All,

I am having problems with my latest dish setup:

60cm standard dish, quattro LNB, Vision 5x16 multiswitch, sky+

I am also feeding TV and FM via a triplexer into the common input of the multiswitch.

If I connect a standard sky box to any of the outlets from the multiswitch - no problems, all channels accessible, good locked signal shown, good tone from satellite finder if connected between output and receiver.

If I connect my Sky+ box, it says no signal on either of the 2 cables connected, satellite finder powers off when cable is connected.

LNB settings on both boxes are the same:
lo band low 9.75
high band low 10.60
22kHz tone on
LNB power on

Same cables used for both receivers, just swap the cables between tests.

The Sky+ box was working fine with a minidish and quad LNB but does not want to know about the multiswitch.

Cables in question are not currently connected via triplex outlet plate, although second cable would only have a standard f type connection anyway, they are being used directly with f-type connectors straight into the satellite boxes.

I do have additional outlet plates, just not used them in that room yet.

Any ideas? all offers of help gratefully received.

 

[PaulR]

No real idea but in a try-it-to-see-if-it-makes-a-difference move temporarily connect two triplexers.

I find myself scratching my head on this one. Thoughts go to the multiswitch demanding too much current - ah, thinks... is it a receiver powered multiswitch or a mains powered multiswitch?

(Sorry for the stream of consciousness there!)

 

[A nonymous]

Is it a Pace Sky+ box by any chance. The older Vision switches would not work with the Pace Sky+ box.

The newer switches were modified so they work with Pace boxes. The biggest give away is the sticker on the switch that says "Pace Filter"

If the switch doesn't have the sticker on it and its a Pace box, thats your problem.

Its a common problem with the older V5 range

If its a new switch take it back to the supplier and tell them you want a switch that was made this side of 2008

If its a Vision V5-516 then its a DC 18 volt switch that needs an 18v supply. Its usually from a V5-024 18 volt Vision power supply which connects at the bottom of the switch using an F-Connector.

I'm sure the Vision range of receiver powered switches are called the Phantom range. Never used them so i could be wrong, but on this occassion i think i'm at least 80% right

:-beer

Nano

 

[Zebethyal]

Is it a Pace Sky+ box by any chance. The older Vision switches would not work with the Pace Sky+ box.

The newer switches were modified so they work with Pace boxes. The biggest give away is the sticker on the switch that says "Pace Filter"

If the switch doesn't have the sticker on it and its a Pace box, thats your problem.

Its a common problem with the older V5 range

If its a new switch take it back to the supplier and tell them you want a switch that was made this side of 2008

If its a Vision V5-516 then its a DC 18 volt switch that need an 18v supply. Its usually from a V5-024 18 volt Vision power supply which connects at the bottom of the switch using an F-Connector.

I'm sure the Vision range of receiver powered switches are called the Phantom range. Never used them so i could be wrong, but on this occassion i think i'm at least 80% right

:-beer

Nano

Thanks for the reply.

My sky+ box is indeed a Pace and the switch is a V5-516 with an 18V DC supply.

I will have a look for the "Pace filter" sticker, however I suspect it is missing.

I guess my options are:

Get a different/newer multiswitch
Get a different sky+ box

Thanks again.

 

[A nonymous]

I would replace the switch just to make sure. You never know if your going to end up with another Pace box in the future.

 

[satelliteman]

Triax do a nice range.

 

[Zebethyal]

I would replace the switch just to make sure. You never know if your going to end up with another Pace box in the future.

That was my preference also, for that exact reason.

 

[A nonymous]

Triax do a nice range

I'm not impressed with Triax stuff, Its too noisy and useless on big systems like high rises without a lot of messing about with slope compensators and attenuators

After the hassle i've had with the high rises on our current contract, which incidentally are all Triax based systems thers no way in a million years i would ever recommend their TMM 5 Series stuff. Its horrible stuff to work with O-no

I've worked on and installed large systems (+100 points) using either Spaun, Fracarro, Johannsson or Vision equipment and its all been straight forward with no issues. I've only ever had hassle with Triax equipment.

Don't get me wrong i can get it to work, but only with a hell of a lot of messing about 2

I hate Triax equipment and I would never recommend it to anybody, but thats just my opinion. I've had nothing but bad experiences with Triax stuff which is why i don't like it.

As for smaller systems, i can't comment as i normally just use Fracarro or Vision on the smaller setups

I'm sure there are other people that like Triax stuff and their opnions are just as valid as mine. Each engineer has his preference to what sort of equipment they use.

My opinion is just biased towards Fracarro & Vision due to the very little amount of problems they have ever caused me

:-beer

Nano

 

[Zebethyal]

Well, I replaced the multiswitch with a new Labgear MS516E and I still have exactly the same problem (

 

[workshoppete]

Well , not much left to change now.

See if you can get another another Skyplus box to try on the multiswitch.

 

[A nonymous]

Can't comment on Labgear stuff as i have never used it. It will probably be crosstalk thats causing the problem, The problem will be at the switch end if the receiver works fine off a dish and lnb.

I had exactly the same issue with my Amstrad DRX280 Sky+ box on a Fracarro SWI508DC switch when the Sky+ box caused crosstalk within the switch. I don't have the same problems with the Teldis switch that i now use

It may even be overpower thats the issue. What levels are you setting the switch at? If the signal strength is too high you will crush the MER and you will have a no signal reading. Try turning it down a bit and see if that improves things, that is if its not a self levelling switch

I would set the switch no higer than 75-80dB if its been used in a house. According to Sky a Sky box should work as low as 55dB on an IRS setup so you have got a good margin to play with.

My Teldis switch outputs at 77dB giving me about 72dB at the outlet plate in the living room (Amstrad DRX280) and about 75dB in the bedrooms (Pace TDS470NB & DM7020si)

This gives me a good quality signal with no problems.

I would try playing with the levels first. If you don't have a meter use the one in the Sky+ boxes service menu.

Try to get it between halfway and three quarters of the way. It doesn't need to be at full as long as the quality of the signal is OK and locked.

:-beer

Nano

 

[satelliteman]

Haven't read all above posts in great detail but try installing a band pass filter.

 

[steptoe]

triax's tmp range for small blocks/domestic are quite easy to set up switchable attenuation on the switch outlets

 

[Zebethyal]

I checked the signal strength on the standard Sky box - 95% of the full range on the bar.

I took the sky+ box and connected it with 2x 2m cables to the multiswitch with the intention of adjusting the gain on the inputs, powered on and it went straight to the welcome to Sky channel, I went to check the signal but the box just froze, eventually had to pull the power cable out to reset.

Powered on again and I thought the same thing was happening again, but it eventually started responding again (may have done a firmware update or something).

Anyway I checked the signal and 95% on both inputs 80% qulity and both locked.

Relocated the box to where I was testing before and it carried on working.

I have no idea what caused it to jump back into life but all is well.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[satelliteman]

All working so a nice result