Winegard DM elevation sensor . Loss of sat. signal REPAIRED

klutchdust wrote:
When I depress the button on the unit I get an error code. I went on the roof and checked and cleaned a connection with electronic cleaner, removed both connectors going to the circuit board as was suggested.
It is hard wired and has not had a 9 volt battery mounted to the panel.

expensive little sucker.

Did you have a comment or question or did you fix it or what?

Good point. It still reads error code, any suggestions.

I might try a 9 volt battery, in case there is some interference on the 12 v line

What error code is it reading?

Once the button is depressed two lines are visible then it reads e r . I installed a battery with no luck. I did read that you can count the crank rotations and it translated into a degree setting. Im going to try that once I get to the track and settled in tomorrow. They have a mobile mechanic that roams the area and has helped me out before when my fridge door fell off.

Here is a link to the manual crank elevation chart.
http://www.winegard.com/kbase/uploads/2451067.pdf
If you are seeing error messages then you already have power so no battery is necessary.
If sounds like you have a bad sensor/connection on the roof as the DM is not seeing the sensor.

Is just the sensor replaceable.

If you use the chart a couple of times you will find that the Digital Magic device is completely unnecessary. It takes about 3 seconds to turn the necessary number of cranks and the elevation is set just as quickly as using the Digital Magic. The DM is great when setup exactly right and a disaster if it's not. Go with the chart and sit back and watch TV!

UPDATE:
Back home again, went on roof and found the connector from the inside wiring to the outside wiring corroded. Spliced 3 wires together,heat shrink, silicone and we now have the elevation meter back in service.
Still not having results with getting the satellite to talk to the receiver. Most advised to replace the LNB. I have switched out the receivers but no results.
I use the signal strength guide that is on the TV and it shows zeros until you can find a signal. I notice that the process is slower than it normally is. It doesn't scan the zero's fast enough if that makes any sense.

Finding the satellite is a complicated process and not as simple as raising to the elevation shown on the DM and swinging the antenna around. You can blow right past the satellite before the meter has a chance to read anything. You can also get a strong signal from the wrong satellite. Be sure you have the receiver set to 18" round and then take your time. I suggest installing an in-line satellite signal receiver as they are instantaneous but the cheap ones still do not tell you if it's the right satellite. You have to wait and see if the receiver identifies it.
You need a good compass and you need to take the reading for the heading while outside and away from all that metal in the RV. Once you have the right heading, the satellite should be found within 20 degrees on either side of that heading and within 5 degrees higher or lower in elevation. You just have to work at it a bit at a time and very slowly. If you download and app like Augmented Reality's Dish Pointer you can see just about exactly where the satellites are but you still won't know exactly how the antenna is positioned as there is a 24 degree offset between the dish angle and the actual satellite elevation.