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Old 02-25-2015, 11:08 AM   #1
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Satellite receiver memory

Has anyone tried to modify a Direct Tv Receiver so that it will retain it's memory when no 120vac is present? I would think that a lithium battery could be wired into the receiver to keep the memory active so it doesn't have to reboot every time power is applied.

I don't want to leave the inverter on all the time but would also like to not have to wait for the receiver to boot up when we want to watch tv. I am thinking I could open the case and wire in a lithium battery through a diode to keep the circuit that maintains the programming live when power is not available.

I am just wondering whether anyone else has done this or has any experience wiring in a battery to maintain memory.

Thanks in advance for any specific recommendations on how to do this.

Roy
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Old 02-25-2015, 11:29 AM   #2
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That would be pretty dicey. You're better off getting a small battery backup unit (meant for a computer) and using that.

Something like: http://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP1...dp/B000QZ3UG0/
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Old 02-25-2015, 02:57 PM   #3
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Interesting thought, but that would take up precious space And I don't have any room in thr AV cabinet. Perhaps there is something smaller that would accomplish the same thing.

Alternatively, I was thinking I could check the DC output voltage of the power supply and if in the 5-12v range, perhaps tap into the circuit there with a lithium battery and inline diode to keep the receiver alive when there is no AC power applied. Finding a good place to tap on the pc board might be the hardest part.

Thanks for the suggestion.
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Old 02-25-2015, 03:00 PM   #4
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Hmmmmmm......looking a little further I found some smaller units. I would only need 100 watts or less.
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Old 02-25-2015, 05:05 PM   #5
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Not sure about that brand, but the brand of Uninterupted Power Supply I bought would not work with a modified sine wave inverter. Check with tech support before you buy one if your coach has a modified sine wave inverter.

And those are intended/sized to run for a few minutes when the power fails so that you can shut down the system safely, not power it for hours at a time. Not what you want to do.
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Old 02-26-2015, 05:45 AM   #6
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Quote:
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...I don't want to leave the inverter on all the time...
Why not? That's what it's for - to power devices when 120V isn't available.

We are full-timers. We ran the inverter in our motorhome 24/7 for almost 8 years. It had 120v passthrough, so it didn't invert most of the time because we were plugged in.

The inverter in our new fiver only powers the residential fridge. I'm contemplating adding a second, small inverter just for the entertainment center solely for the reasons you state - so the sat receiver retains its memory while we're on the road.
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Old 02-26-2015, 08:49 AM   #7
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We dry camp a lot and I dont want the parasitic drain from the tv's, etc.
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Old 02-26-2015, 08:50 AM   #8
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Thanks for the hint on MSW inverters. Thats what I have.
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Old 02-26-2015, 03:13 PM   #9
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I am thinking I could open the case and wire in a lithium battery through a diode to keep the circuit that maintains the programming live when power is not available.
DirecTV considers all its hardware to be leased, even if you buy it through a 3rd party. I don't think they would be thrilled with anything you do that requires opening the case. You could find yourself subject to substantial charges if something goes wrong or when you someday try to return the item.
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Old 02-26-2015, 03:27 PM   #10
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Good chance your entertainment power outlet is in series with additional outlets. If you can map those out, and keep additional drain from those other outlets. Then by taking that specific circuit breaker and putting it on a dedicated smaller PSW inverter, would probably be your easiest and relatively effective path forward.

Good luck!
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Old 02-27-2015, 05:12 AM   #11
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Easy to do, Put a small in-line TRUE SINE WAVE inverter between the receiver and the power source so it always has 120vac and forget it.

In fact, the receivers do remember most of the stuff they need during power fail as I recall.. What is yours forgetting? And how old is it.

A very old receiver might have a battery, like a BIOS battery in a computer, that maintains it during power fail.

And of course some things change parking spot to parking spot.
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Old 02-27-2015, 10:22 AM   #12
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There are two problems I would like to solve;

Sometimes when we shut off the generator, the power transfer to inverting causes the DTV recever to reboot. I would like to avoid that if possible.

Secondly, if we shut off the generator or inverter the night before, or in the morning, when we start to watch TV after dinner, we have to wait for it to reboot.

I haven't yet measured idle amps so don't know yet whether having a full time small inverter running would be a problem. I plan to do that in the next couple days as well as measure the idle power consumption of my main inverter to see what the burden would be on my batteries.

I have checked a popular UPS mfg. and they say their small units won't work very well with a modified sinewave inverter. If I can still find one that will work and if it can provide enough WH of power to coast to the next generator/inverter power cycle, that might be a good solution. Otherwise, a small PSW inverter directly in line might be the best option.

I still like the idea of a "bios battery" though. That would alleviate having to do anything and it would retain receiver memory for potentially a long time.

Thanks for all the inputs. I'll post my final solution once I figure it out.

Roy
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Old 02-27-2015, 10:27 AM   #13
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Quote:
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Sometimes when we shut off the generator, the power transfer to inverting causes the DTV recever to reboot. I would like to avoid that if possible.
We have this problem sometimes too. The generator shutdown is not as clean as when it comes online. Our solution is to open the breaker feeding the inverter BEFORE we turn the generator off. That provides a clean power break, so the internal transfer switch in the inverter works properly. Then just close the breaker again after the generator is off.
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Old 02-27-2015, 12:15 PM   #14
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Ah, there is only one way to solve those problems..

Install a dedicated stand alone true sine wave inverter. Such as:

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-SW.../dp/B001539BCE

(If you can get one smaller, go for it, but this is about the smallest TRUE sine wave I have found,, Do go with True Sine Wave).

And run the Sat Receiver (and automatic antenna if you have one) off the inverter full time..

That is the only way I know of to accomplish what you want.

Side effect... NOTE: no problem with having this inverter in addition to your main inverter,,, Just this one will power only selected loads (Stuff that can not be blinked)
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