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Topic: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Yahoo Message Number: 110666
We're trying to get our DISH Network satellite receiver box to work with the manual satellite dish in our '09 Lazy Daze.

The receiver works fine in our home, but when we move it to our LD and plug it into the 110 outlet in the RV (on shore power), the receiver keeps turning itself off. We've also tried it with the 12- volt inverter, which works well with our DVD player. In this case the inverter keeps kicking off.

We called DISH Network support line. They said: if it works in the house, it should work in the motorhome. When we said, it doesn't, they offered no advice.
 Has anybody else in the LD community had this problem? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Martha in Santa Fe

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Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110675
Martha,
 Do you get any on-screen display or does the receiver immediately shut down?

Have you tried the receiver back
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110682
Martha, you might want to take a look at the AC voltage in your motorhome. If it's unusually low (e.g., because the rig is sitting in your driveway, connected to a 15A outlet via a long extension cord and an adapter)--say, 110V or less--that could have something to do with your problems.
 Better still, if you happen to have a Kill-A-Watt meter, plug the receiver into it and see just how much it's drawing.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110684
Thanks, Michelle, Lee, and Andy, for your good suggestions. We're considering all possible solutions at the moment... including yours.

Greatly appreciate your help!

Martha
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110689
Martha,
 When we had DISH Network, I also used to take one of my home receivers and put it in the LD. It behaved in the same manner yours seems to be doing, turning off, not being responsive to it's power button or remote. I'd unplug it, wait awhile, try again and it would sometimes come back on. It seemed to do this as it would "go stupid" after being disconnected from the home dish antenna. If it did turn on, I had to be reasonably quick to get the menu up on the screen and get to the dish pointing part. Then it would usually allow me to "lock in" a sat. Once that was done, I had to do a "check switch" (IIRC) as the LD has a single LNB and the home dish had 3 for HD. All in all it was a real pain, so I switched to Direct TV. Still not all that convenient, but at least the receiver stays on so I can aim it.
 So I'm not so sure it's an AC power issue as some are suggesting . . . though that's worth checking too. Sorry I don't have any better advice for you.

bumper Yonder Minden, NV

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bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110690
On Mar 1, 2010, at 8:38 PM, bumperm wrote:

Quote
When we had DISH Network, I also used to take one of my home receivers and put it in the LD. It behaved in the same manner yours seems to be doing, turning off, not being responsive to it's power button or remote. I'd unplug it, wait awhile, try again and it would sometimes come back on. It seemed to do this as it would "go stupid" after being disconnected from the home dish antenna. If it did turn on, I had to be reasonably quick to get the menu up on the screen and get to the dish pointing part. Then it would usually allow me to "lock in" a sat. Once that was done, I had to do a "check switch" (IIRC) as the LD has a single LNB and the home dish had 3 for HD. All in all it was a real pain, so I switched to Direct TV. Still not all that convenient, but at least the receiver stays on so I can aim it.

So I'm not so sure it's an AC power issue as some are suggesting . . . though that's worth checking too. Sorry I don't have any better advice for you.

bumper
Thank you, Bumper, for sharing your personal experience. It does sound almost exactly like what we're dealing with.

We may end up switching to Direct TV too, if the situation doesn't improve.

I appreciate your help!

Martha

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Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110691
Quote
"We're trying to get our DISH Network satellite receiver box to work with the manual satellite dish in our '09 Lazy Daze."
Martha, you might want to go to the Escapees discussion forum and see if this issue has been discussed.  You can join the forum and post a question, too.
http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=19

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110692
On Mar 1, 2010, at 9:09 PM, chorst_2000 wrote:

Quote
Martha, you might want to go to the Escapees discussion forum and see if this issue has been discussed. You can join the forum and post a question, too.
http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=19

Chris
Chris, that's a great suggestion. I've not been engaged with escapees before, but maybe now's the time.

Muchas gracias!!!

Martha

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Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110697
Hi Martha,

Sorry for the late response..
 Last year, I had the same experience with my Direct TV receiver. It did not work on the inverter voltage, but it did work on the regular 120V coming into our MB. I ended up replacing the inverter. Luckily, I found an exact replacement on Ebay for  $25-30. For a couple of $$ more, you can upgrade to a 700W inverter. Unfortunately, I cannot give you the link to their website because I am on the road and also have a very slow connection. The inverter, I bought,  was brand new and has been working flawlessly.

Frans Liebert

2000 MB

Currently in Natchez State Park, MS

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Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110699
On Mar 2, 2010, at 9:12 AM, Frans Liebert wrote:

Quote
Sorry for the late response..

Last year, I had the same experience with my Direct TV receiver. It did not work on the inverter voltage, but it did work on the regular 120V coming into our MB. I ended up replacing the inverter. Luckily, I found an exact replacement on Ebay for $25-30. For a couple of $$ more, you can upgrade to a 700W inverter. Unfortunately, I cannot give you the link to their website because I am on the road and also have a very slow connection. The inverter, I bought, was brand new and has been working flawlessly.

Frans Liebert
Thank you, Frans, for what may be the most helpful tip yet.

Enjoy that beautiful Natchez State Park!

Martha

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Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110701
Martha, although power problems do need to be ruled out, the more I look over your description of the symptoms, the less likely AC power seems to be the cause.
 For example, if the inverter were the problem, then the receiver should function properly when plugged into a regular "shore-powered" AC outlet.
 Conversely, if the coach's AC outlets were the problem, then the receiver should operate correctly when plugged into the inverter.
 The fact that it malfunctions *both* when plugged into an AC outlet in the coach and when plugged into the coach's inverter--two completely independent systems with unrelated power sources--suggests that the problem lies with the receiver.
 By the way, just to clarify Frans's comment that "For a couple of $$ more, you can upgrade to a 700W inverter"... bear in mind that 1) an inverter that's rated for several times the power needs of your device will be less efficient, especially when in "idle" mode, than one that's a close match; and 2) regardless of an inverter's rating, it cannot supply more than about 120 watts unless it's hardwired to the batteries with heavy cable.
 In other words, you can plug a 700W inverter into a 12V outlet in your coach, but you won't be able to get more than about 120W from it without blowing a fuse. Moral: bigger is not better in this case, so don't overbuy.
 But again, from the symptoms you describe, it doesn't appear that there's anything wrong with your inverter.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110705
Good advice, Andy, as always. Thanks!

All this has been an interesting learning curve for us. We ordered the LD with manual sat TV but didn't make much effort to use it on our trips last year. Now that we're about to start towing for the first time (bought a Subaru Forester 2 weeks ago, getting all the tow gear attached this week), we're turning our attention to the one other thing we haven't mastered yet.

This group is a superb source of knowledge and helpful suggestions.
Everybody in the LD community that we've heard from and met along the way--starting with my first "We're about to join the cult" email of a year ago... right up to the present--has been great. How nice to have a resource like this... especially for newbie RVers like us!

Martha
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110721
Hello. I have run two Dish 311 receivers* simultaneously, on the same coach outlet while hooked up to the campground power or if at home, on a 15amp outlet using a 100' extension cord. No problems. Haven't tried with the mini-inverter but can if requested. I think Andy is probably on track with the problem being with the receiver.
Regards, Jay Green'07RK- Stick House Winter Park, FL
 *One for the Mobile account- RaySat InMotion Dish, plus one for the manual dish(add on to my Home account for local channels when in reach)
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110722
On Mar 3, 2010, at 7:33 AM, jaysdaze wrote:

Quote
Hello. I have run two Dish 311 receivers* simultaneously, on the same coach outlet while hooked up to the campground power or if at home, on a 15amp outlet using a 100' extension cord. No problems.
Haven't tried with the mini-inverter but can if requested. I think Andy is probably on track with the problem being with the receiver.
Thanks, Jay. It does look like we're honing in on the problem. It helps to hear experiences like yours.

You guys are all great!

Martha

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Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110728
I have a Direct T.V. box that works perfectly at home but not in the LD. Last week we were at Julian and couldn't get reception. Are these devices really sensitive? I am asking because there were several large oak trees (Leafless) somewhat in the path of reception. I got a strong signal on my FINDER but it didn't kick on the MENU. Dale from Downey.

__
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110730
If you had a strong signal and no reception my guess is you were on the wrong satellite. The signals do get attenuated greatly by foliage but you state you had a strong signal which is why I suspect the wrong bird..

Garry
Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 110735
Thanks Garry. That's what I suspected but couldn't find another bird.

__ From: Garry Foster garry.foster1@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Wed, March 3, 2010 2:24:35 PM
 Subject: Re: [LD] Re: trying to get DISH Network receiver to work

If you had a strong signal and no reception my guess is you were on the wrong satellite. The signals do get attenuated greatly by foliage but you state you had a strong signal which is why I suspect the wrong bird..

Garry