Water in C - Band Actuator Gear Box

**Gee 123** · 02-07-13, 06:58 PM

Hi Guys,

Looking for some help

With the recent rains in Sydney the dish stopped moving
Had a look opened up the back of the gear box and low and behold
water comes pouring out !!!!!

Pulled apart and dried - put back together no go - There is a switch ???
(limit switch???) it has 2 knobs 180 degrees apart on it - this was also under water or partially submerged could this be the problem?? If so where to get a replacement and how to prevent water coming in in the future? Also my G box has an E-2 error on it - i've had this before but only when actuator had reached the limits of its trajectory.

**mtv** · 02-07-13, 07:12 PM

The knobs may be cams which trip limit switches or sensors that your controller then errors if they are activated.

Motor housings have drain holes, which should naturally be on the bottom (some people install the actuator upside down).

Once you've dried out the motor, ensure the drainage holes are in the correct place and not blocked.

The rubber boot on the screw arm may also need to be replaced if it's perished and allowing water ingress.

Grease the screw actuator.

Try turning off the controller and on again to see if that resets it.

I'm not familiar with your particular actuator or controller, so this is generic advice.

You can buy actuators from just about any satellite equipment store and there's online sellers as well.

**weirdo** · 02-07-13, 08:42 PM

in addition to mtv's advice, try resetting your 'G box'

**Gee 123** · 02-07-13, 09:35 PM

Forgive my ignorance but resetting the g box means hitting the reset button on the remote
waiting for 10 seconds (10-1) countdown then having 3 horizontal line flash come up followed by 000?
If that's the case tried it and doesn't work (: but thanks for the suggestion

**weirdo** · 02-07-13, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gee 123

Forgive my ignorance but resetting the g box means hitting the reset button on the remote
waiting for 10 seconds (10-1) countdown then having 3 horizontal line flash come up followed by 000?
If that's the case tried it and doesn't work (: but thanks for the suggestion

yep
if that doesn't work you must have either a faulty component in your actuator or it's still got moisture somewhere shorting things out.
might pay to check your cable aswell.
You should be able to get a new actuator for under $100

**gordon_s1942** · 02-07-13, 10:11 PM

If water has got into the motor itself you may have to disassemble it and clean the commutator/brushes with a soft clean cloth.
Water oddly enough can cause a short when liquid but when it dries, it can leave a film on the surfaces which wont conduct electricity.
Depending on how its put together you may well have to replace it with a new one.

**Gee 123** · 02-07-13, 10:46 PM

Thanks Gordon and wierdo - I had opened up the motor and sure enough water had been there too !!!!!
Oh well live and learn - will disassemble again completely and dry clean then if that doesn't work will get a new
actuator, Oh btw What do you mean by checking cable ? That voltages are being received in actuator from G box ?