hot hot hot multiswitch

mosasso · 07-22-2006, 11:11 AM

The equipment seems to be very hot all the time, unable to even touch for a second. Is this normal and or safe? The tech installed Terk Multiswitch to handle 3 reg recvrs and one dvr recvr. The system has always worked fine but I am concerned about possible meltdown or fire. Am I being paranoid?

AbMagFab · 07-22-2006, 11:15 AM

Since "hot hot hot" is subjective (and a line from a song), who knows.
- If you could put a piece of paper on it and it flames up, then yes, it's too hot.
- If it's melting the outer coating of the coax connectors, then yes it's too hot.
- If the room it's in is uncomfortably warm solely because of it, then yes it's too hot.

Otherwise, it's likely just warm, and okay, and you are probably being paranoid (as you say).

mosasso · 07-22-2006, 11:22 AM

When I said hot I meant really hot. It's mounted up in my garage attic and even in the winter it is so hot you can't touch it for more than a split second. I checked the cables yesterday and they were not melted but what causes it to be so hot?

chantaltivo · 07-22-2006, 11:31 AM

I am not a tech expert but if it is in the attic is there room around it for air to circulate. That can be a problem for electronics.

AbMagFab · 07-22-2006, 11:56 AM

It's powered, and the Terk I think is mechanical. So it's got a bunch of relays that it's flipping around. They get hot, yes. Hard to tell what "hot hot hot" means though (maybe you have really sensitive skin?).

I wouldn't worry about it too much, but if you are, replace it (they are <$50 on eBay, new).

JimSpence · 07-22-2006, 12:06 PM

What you describe, is too hot in my opinion. Exactly what model is this multiswitch?
I would mount it on a large piece of aluminum to act as a heat sink.

My Eagle Aspen DTV4x8 is powered and I can lay my hand on it without fear of burning it. I would describe it as warm.

AbMagFab · 07-22-2006, 12:44 PM

That's a good point. Would you actually burn your skin if you held a finger on it, or is it just uncomfortably hot?

mosasso · 07-22-2006, 01:37 PM

I cannot hold my finger on it at all. I am certain you could fry an egg on it. The metal connections to the wiring are equally as hot. Only one side of the multiswitch is exposed to air the other is flat against a wood surface.

JimSpence · 07-22-2006, 03:20 PM

I would get that off the wood surface and mount it with spacers. Are any of the unused outputs terminated? If so, remove them.

Better yet, replace it.

AbMagFab · 07-23-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosasso

I cannot hold my finger on it at all. I am certain you could fry an egg on it. The metal connections to the wiring are equally as hot. Only one side of the multiswitch is exposed to air the other is flat against a wood surface.

Okay, that's definitely too hot. I'd suggest you replace it. Again, eBay for < $50, or you can try to get DirecTV to replace it.

relrobber · 07-23-2006, 02:51 PM

The unused outputs are supposed to be terminated to maintain the correct impedence. I had problems with mine until I realized that.

JimSpence · 07-23-2006, 03:01 PM

My Eagle Aspen worked just fine with the unused outputs not terminated.

Lee L · 07-24-2006, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by relrobber

The unused outputs are supposed to be terminated to maintain the correct impedence. I had problems with mine until I realized that.

Terminated in which way, with an open connector?