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Installing a Motorized Satellite System with an HH-Mount Motor

DiSEqC & USALS Compatible Motors

 

Please follow the following steps carefully to get your motorized system installed quickly.  If you  have any questions, visit our Forums (HH Motor section) and post your inquiries.  We have an active forum and you will find some good tips.

 

Here are the steps to a successful installation:

Select your installation site carefully!!! There must be a clear line of sight between the required satellites and the entire surface of the dish. The line of sight must be free from obstructions, such as trees, roof tiles etc.	Pictures 1
It is very important to make sure the HH motor is fixed to a perfectly vertical (plumb) mast (Picture 1). Time spent measuring this accurately will save you hours later on.
NOTE: Tighten all coaxial cable connections on the motor only by hand. Using a wrench may over-tighten the connections, causing damage. Such damage is not covered by the Limited warranty. If the HH motor shaft is not at zero degrees reference (picture 2), you should get it back to zero degrees by connecting the receiver to the motor. The receiver must be ON for the HH Motor to move. It’s easier to do this before placing the H-H Motor onto the mast. Once you have done this, the HH Motor should then be disconnected from the receiver. HH Motors are usually set to zero degrees by default from the factory. Fit the H-H Motor onto the mast and do the nuts up finger tight.	Pictures 2
Set the elevation angle for the motor. This angle should be equal to the latitude value of the installation location. Always use the Latitude scale on the motor. PowerTech DG240,280,380 Satcontrol SM3D22 STAB HH100 & HH120 STAB HH90 Digipower SG-2100

By following the above instructions accurately, you should now have installed your dish on the arc.

Testing your installation:

• Re-connect the receiver to the H-H Motor.

• Use either USALS (easier) or DiSEqC 1.2 to move and align your dish.

Using USALS

• With FORTEC STAR or any USALS compliant receiver, you can use the USALS feature to easily locate the satellites.

• In the USALS (or DiSEqC 1.3) menu, enter your Latitude (##.# N) and your Longitude (###.# W)

• Select one of the FTA satellites such as IA5 KU at 97W

• Select MOVE

• The Motor will now move the dish to where the satellite is.

• When the motor stops, check the signal meter on your TV screen.

• If you don't see Quality bar, then the your dish/motor alignment is off. 

  1. With the dish aimed at Galaxy 25 KU, start by adjusting your TRUE South as shown on picture 8 above. Move the whole assembly East/West a few degrees very very slowly.

  2. If you still don't see a Quality bar, adjust the dish elevation 1 degree up/down at a time, and sweep East/West again as on #1 above.

  3. Do not change the motor elevation.

  4. When you get the maximum quality, tighten the motor on the mast.

  5. Perform a Power Scan (this will also update the transponder in your receiver).  When the scan is completed, move the dish (using USALS) to another satellite and verify that YOU ARE GETTING A GOOD SIGNAL AS WELL. If not, your TRUE SOUTH must be off.

Using DiSEqC 1.2

• Connect the LNB to a signal meter, or use the receiver signal meter on your TV screen.

• With the satellite meter still connected, move the dish east by pressing the small east button underneath the H-H Motor (DG240) or by using the receiver's remote control (i.e. STAB).

• Peak the signal on the meter for the farthest Eastern satellite in the horizon until you believe it is as good as you can get by moving both east and west.

• With the satellite meter still connected select a Western satellite and move the dish west.

• Peak the signal on the meter until you believe it is as good as you can get by moving both east and west.

• Now, tighten the H-H mount on the supporting pole.  You are done.

Links:

• Sample installation pictures!

• STAB's installation support!

FAQ:

 

Do I need a separate power line to connect to the HH Motor?

No.  The motor gets its power from the receiver using the same coaxial cable running from the receiver to the LNBF on the dish.  You simply disconnect the cable from the LNBF.  Connect it to the HH Motor.  Then run a short coaxial cable between the motor and the LNBF.  Make sure to turn the receiver OFF whenever you disconnect or connect the coaxial cable to the motor or LNBF.  Use the Power ON/OFF switch on the back of the receiver.

 

How do I control the motor to move it East / West?

The motor is controlled by the receiver's remote control.  All receivers compliant with the DiSEqC 1.2, 1.3, or USALS protocol have the capability to run an HH motor.  Once you initially setup the motor on the satellite arc and store the locations of the satellites, you will be able to move between satellites by simply changing the channel.

 

Does the motor also adjust for variation in elevation on the dish for each satellite?

Yes it does.

 

Do I need to skew the LNBF on a motorized dish?

No you don't.  Just set the skew at 0 and the motor will tilt the whole dish when it moves.

 

What could cause a HH motor not to operate properly?

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Motor is not moving at all.	Coax is not connected correctly to motor or receiver Cable is too long over 75ft There is a bad connector or short in connector Motor needs to be reset to 0 positioned	Make sure coax is connected to the IF input on receiver side and the REC input on Motor side. Make sure to turn the receiver OFF whenever you disconnect or connect the coaxial cable to the motor or LNBF.  Use the Power ON/OFF switch on the back of the receiver. Use solid copper core RG6 coaxial cable. In some cases, it is best to use RG11 coaxial cable for longer runs. Inspect all connectors for any wires touching the center core causing a short. Also, bad quality connectors may rust or cause moisture to get in.  You should protect all outdoor connectors from any moisture On Positioner menu in your receiver, select DiSEqC 1.2 Then select "reference position" or in some receivers it is called 0-position.  The motor will move to 0-position and reset.  In the case of Satcontrol motor, it will move all the way to East then move to 0-position.
Motor not tracking Clarke Belt (satellite ARC) correctly.	Pole is not 100% plum Motor is not set correctly at Latitude value to your location Motor is off alignment to TRUE South Dish is not aligned on center line with motor as shown in picture 5 above Dish elevation is off	Make sure that the pole where the motor is mounted on is plum at 90 degrees. Any leaning of the mast one direction or another will cause  the motor not to track the ARC correctly. Find your correct Latitude value for your zip code here, then adjust the motor elevation accordingly. Find your TRUE SOUTH value from map below. Use a good compass to aim your motor/dish assembly to correct direction. True South for Chicago is 184, for San Francisco is 165 Make every effort to align dish, lnbf arm, and motor on the same straight line. Start by setting dish elevation to calculated value.  Adjust dish elevation Up or Down from calculated value no more than one degree at a time.
Motor is not able to move back from farthest East or West towards the center.	Dish might be too heavy for the motor to handle.	Make sure you use proper size dish with your motor. Heavier dishes will cause much strain on the motor and eventually it may damage the internal gears of the motor or burn the motor. Such damage is not covered by any warranty.
DiSEqC Switches	If you are going to use an HH Motor and a DiSEqC switch, we recommend you position the DiSEqC switch after the Motor as follows: Receiver ----- HH Motor ----- DiSEQC switch ----  LNBFs  If you place the DiSEqC switch between the Receiver and the HH Motor, it will impact the performance and operation of the HH Motor.
Other problem not listed here.	See users forum and post your question there: Sadoun HH Motor Forums

 

What is the benefit from motorizing my dish?

Well, by adding a motor to your system you will be able to receive satellite channels from several satellites instead from one only.  That way you will gain many more channels economically without investing in many dishes and switches.

 

Where can I find out what channels are available free to air?

There are many free to air channels available in North America on satellites such as Galaxy 10R, AMC4, Telstar 5, AMC3, etc. There are channels from the USA and from around the world. See http://www.lyngsat.com/america.shtml for a complete listing of what is available. Anything with an  F  designation is FREE TO AIR.