Advice Needed New diseqc motor to replace technomate tm 2600 h-h

[ruasonid]

Between storms and showers I went on the roof today. I thought the green LED was lit before but it is not now. The cables going into the motor are slightly kinked, probably because the dish has gone beyond the normal range I use. When the weather improves I can buzz them out. However, I put a meter on the output from the receiver (tried both ports) and there is no voltage (either at idle or when trying to move dish).

One other thing I noticed when doing config on the tuner (on screen setup) is tuner 1 is indicated as disabled. If I go in and set up the positioner with coordinates, etc. and save it tuner 1 still shows disabled. Tuner 2 looks OK but no dish movement.

Edit.

I connected a 12V DC (1A) source to the coax and found, initially, the LED was lit green before going amber. I could not operate the motor using the buttons. I was going to do a reset but rain started.

 

[ruasonid]

Would it be worth trying the VU+ image (available from the VU+ site):

vuplus-image-vusolo2-20190808062214_usb.zip

How would this differ from the BlackHole 3.0.9 currently installed?

 

[william-1]

Worth a try as with a lot of upgrades / new images some of the essential DiSEqC motor software gets corrupted
OK if you have a fixed dish system that the software is check on for the new image but not for motorised systems that the testers do not seem to have

 

[ruasonid]

I went back to Blackhole 3.0.9 since I found it runs very well with snappy performance. No change. Then reverted to the VU+ image as above. No change. Will try a motor reset today.

 

[ruasonid]

The reason for the above green/amber LED on the motor housing was likely the connection to the power supply I used earlier. I found a better power supply and confirmed the output voltage at the coax cable. Reset the motor and the LED went amber then green (there is no mechanical sound at all). When I press the East/West button (left hand button) there is a distinct click but no motor movement at all (or any sound like attempted movement) and the LED goes and stays amber. If I do another reset it goes green.

Edit:

I just checked the tuner again. Connected a meter to a short run of coax connected to the tuner output. On powering up the tuner 13.75V appeared on the line.

It seems to be a motor problem?

Should I replace the TM2600 with another? Or is there a better option?

 

[sonnetpete]

From when I had a TM2600, I think there is a 'hard reset' hole near to one of the East/West buttons. It may be worth poking a straightened paper clip in there. Incidentally, I'm running a 1.2m dish on a Clark Tech motor without any bother.

 

[ruasonid]

Thanks. I've reset the motor as above. The East/West button is on the left. The "button" on the right is the LED indicator. If yo lift that cover you can see the pinhole for the reset.

 

[Trust]

Open the top cover of the motor and hit with the backside of a screwdriver both relays for E/W (black square devices)
Sometimes the contacts inside from one of them are sticking together , giving such error .

 

[ruasonid]

Thanks for the suggestion. I might give that a try and retest but I'd be concerned if it failed again. I just received a new TM2600 M3. Connected to the tuner on the bench and it's working just fine. I'll swap out at the weekend and investigate the old motor when I find time.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I just received a new TM2600 M3. Connected to the tuner on the bench and it's working just fine. I'll swap out at the weekend and investigate the old motor when I find time.

Is there actually such a device ?

 

[ruasonid]

Yes, it is printed on the box TM-2600M3, along with the text "Faster, quieter, and stronger than before" I would have preferred it to say more durable than before.

 

[ruasonid]

I just noticed the motor I removed has M2 on it. Not sure what has changed. I'll have a look at the old motor and if it can be made serviceable could install another dish facing South/East. Is there anything out there (I could probably go to a 90cm dish or 1m max)?

During installation of the new motor I tried to keep the position of the brackets as before. I'm pretty sure I had a good southern polar orientation by line of sight (using a compass there is a large fir tree pretty much in line), or so I thought. I checked over the bracket angles and found declination slightly out so I set as correct by calculation.

I found a good signal on 28.2E so tried to fine tune that using the set top box (Blackhole 3.0.9). I found that the fine movement would sometimes jump too far. The other thing I noticed was when the dish went to 28.2E there was quite a good signal (89% SNR on a cloudy day) but when I went to positioner setup the SNR dropped. On pushing the fine movement the SNR went to zero and even with movement in the right direction did not come back. I had to leave that menu option then go back in to see the effect of the movement. Finding this tiresome I went back on the roof and hooked up the tuner at a nearby window with a small TV. I though this would make it easier but there seems to be quite a bit of spring in the brackets and on tightening they pull the signal quite a lot. I could not get a fine enough adjustment not could I get the signal up above 49-55%. I'm wondering if the old declination angle was set on a meter and whilst it was not correct by calculation worked better. I'm getting into a bit of a mess here. What would be the best approach to get it right?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Take some pictures, spring in the brackets isn't good for a reliable motorised system

 

[ruasonid]

I can't get up on the roof at the moment but here's the same brackets that came with the new motor. They look like 8mm.

I cannot see them spring but I can see the SNR vary.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Pictures of the mast/wall bracketry tomorrow then.

 

[a33]

I checked over the bracket angles and found declination slightly out so I set as correct by calculation.

BTW, Did you calculate the so-called "modified motor angles"?
That way you folow the arc better (almost perfect).

Greetz,
A33

 

[ruasonid]

I've been away and just now picking this up again. I calculated the angles and set the skew which was slightly out.

The declination error above is interesting. I got a meter and found that the signal hits high 90's on Astra 28.2E (actually 98/99 on a clear day and 89/90 on a cloudy day) when using an angle different from the calculated angle. However, on moving the dish the other satellites are reading much lower. Obviously the arc is out.

I'll get on the roof again at the weekend and check the position of the mast.

 

[shamone]

Sorry to jump on this old post but it is relevant to my current issue.

I have a similar problem with my Technomate 2300 motor. I have not had a full inspection of the motor yet but as it is at ground level this will not be a problem.

I have had this motor in my setup for going on 12 years now so if I need a new one I am happy to purchase another.

What are the best alternative motors that are available at the moment?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Another technomate. You wont need to change anything apart from the motor / gearbox. Leave the post clamping arrangement where it is

 

[TJExcalibur]

Is there actually such a device ?

W OS list an M M3 for £46. Good motor as mine is still running after taking a hammerig from the recent gales.