How can I check the output voltage of DP311 Satellite receiver?

Just a follow up here; I got the receiver fixed somehow. I had the Sat Finder installed to find the satellite signal and I left it there to power up the LNB’s. Once I put the 121 W LNB on the No. 1 connector of the multi-switch so it could read straight through, it was able to receive the 121 satellite signal, but not the 119 or 110 connected to the No. 2 and No. 3 connectors respectively. (I ran Check Switch and it found only the 121 satellite.) I accidentally knocked the power supply from the Sat Finder, but it stayed powered up by the receiver. So I ran Check Switch again, and this time it found all three satellites and locked onto them correctly. It took on a software update that lasted about five minutes, then all my channels were back in operation. I took the Sat Finder out of line completely, and all is working just as before.

My conclusion is that the receiver had lost its programming and was kick started into action off the Sat Finder’s 18 VDC power supply for those components that call for 18 VDC, but could not operate those that require 13 VDC since the 18 VDC was constant and overrode the 13 VDC signal. Once it was able to operate off its own internal voltage settings, it was able to activate the components that required the 13 VDC and download new programming software which allowed it to resume its intended function.

In my original post, I neglected to mention that the receiver had been unplugged from the 115VAC outlet in my house for about sixteen days. At the time, I didn’t consider that that might have caused the receiver to loose its memory, and I still don’t know if that is the cause for the problem or not. At any rate, I have cancelled the new from Dish Network for now.

Thanks again for the replies.

Ravis
July 2007

Thanks, I can do that.

Here is what I have found out so far: Once the receiver is powered on with the Sat Finder's power supply in line to activate the LNB's, the Sat Finder can be taken out and the receiver will continue to operate normally as long as it stays powered on.

Dish Network is sending me a new one anyway.

Thanks again for the responses.

Ravis
July 2007

If you know your way around a printed circuit board you could try tracing the missing voltage back from the connector.

t
July 2007

Thank you for your reply. I was checking the voltage as you indicated; I looked inside and the fuse is OK.

I confirmed that the receiver is not providing the 13/18 VDC required by the LNB's by leaving the SatFinder inline to power the LNB's. All works well with this arrangement; but I had to use a 120VAC to 9VDC converter to power up the SatFinder because the 9 volt batteries intended for that purpose do not last very long while running constantly.

Regards..........ravisretcb

Ravis
July 2007

I doin't know if you are doing it right because i can't see you. Check between the inner connector and the outer on the LNB in connector on the back of the receiver. It should be at the nominal voltage. Which is why you MUST remove power from the STB when connecting the LNB cable to it. I blew a box one doing just that but it just took out an internal fuse. Suggest you take a look inside for a blown 20 mm fuse. Carefully! There are mains voltages in there.

t
July 2007