What do you all do about ice on your satellite dishes?
My HD is out for the second night in a row. I've read not to use hot water under any circumstances, but opinion on the chemical stuff you squirt on your windshield is divided.
A hair dryer was suggested in one forum, but that's not feasible for where my dish is located.
Any suggestions?
Mr. Salty
02-27-09, 11:48 PM
I've read people at DBSTalk.com recommend spraying the dish with PAM cooking spray. But there are relatively inexpensive heated covers to prevent ice and snow from forming. You can get them here (http://www.dishdepot.com/accessories.jsp).
shelland
02-28-09, 09:21 AM
I've never had any issues myself, but I've read about people using hot water in super soakers. But that would go against the hot water advice you cited above.
I know this is brought up often at www.satelliteguys.us
Canadian Bacon
02-28-09, 10:57 AM
live swhere ice is not an issue ;)
I've heard of dish heaters but don't know if they work or not
Spiky
02-28-09, 11:09 AM
Why not hot water? It's just a piece of sheet metal. I'm sure the melting point is well above 120deg. If the ice is on the LNBs, maybe not. Only time this ever got me was when freezing rain dripped inside the LNB and I couldn't do anything tip it melted 2 days later. I sealed the cracks with silicon after that.
jonw9
02-28-09, 03:17 PM
Why not hot water? It's just a piece of sheet metal. I'm sure the melting point is well above 120deg. If the ice is on the LNBs, maybe not. Only time this ever got me was when freezing rain dripped inside the LNB and I couldn't do anything tip it melted 2 days later. I sealed the cracks with silicon after that.
Probably because the water will just freeze, leaving you in the same situation as before.
Jeremy517
02-28-09, 03:33 PM
I just use a broom.
Ron G
02-28-09, 09:16 PM
Thanks for all of the advice
The temperatures are rising, and my HD is back. Yesterday's Battlestar Galactica is on my DVR in SD, though, which is sad.
I can't really use a broom, because it's icicles, not snow. We had freezing rain two days ago, and it's made a mess of everything.
I did read something about Pam, but again, there were mixed opinions.
I think I'll just invest in a heater and/or a cover. I'm hoping this is the end of this sort of weather for this year. We're supposed to be up into the 50s by the end of the week.
Sometimes I really miss Southern California . . .
Spiky
03-01-09, 01:05 AM
Covers are crap, IMO. They tend to be better at collecting snow and ice than the dish itself.
Ron G
03-01-09, 10:19 PM
Covers are crap, IMO. They tend to be better at collecting snow and ice than the dish itself.
What about heaters?
Jeremy517
03-01-09, 10:41 PM
I can't really use a broom, because it's icicles, not snow. We had freezing rain two days ago, and it's made a mess of everything.
We had a lot of freezing rain this winter and I still just used a broom. Slight whacks with the plastic part of the broom if necessary, then rub with the broom.
Spiky
03-02-09, 01:27 AM
What about heaters?
Haven't tried. Presumably that should work. I kinda wonder about the longevity of a permanently installed heater.
pjflyer
03-10-09, 04:39 PM
I use an ice scraper.
eedoon
03-11-09, 07:47 AM
I use an ice scraper.
that's for sissies. Flamethrower is the way to go!
Buy: