Ice on the satellite dish

Ron G · 02-27-09, 07:55 PM

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, 10:48 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.

shelland · 02-28-09, 08:21 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, 09:57 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, 10:09 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, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiky

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, 02:33 PM

I just use a broom.

Ron G · 02-28-09, 08:16 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, 12:05 AM

Covers are crap, IMO. They tend to be better at collecting snow and ice than the dish itself.

Ron G · 03-01-09, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiky

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, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron G

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, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron G

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, 03:39 PM

I use an ice scraper.

eedoon · 03-11-09, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjflyer

I use an ice scraper.

that's for sissies. Flamethrower is the way to go!

02-27-09, 07:55 PM	#1
Ron G Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 964	Ice on the satellite dish 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?

02-27-09, 10:48 PM	#2
Mr. Salty DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The tranquil banks of the Rock River Posts: 7,896	Re: Ice on the satellite dish 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. __________________ Mr. Salty's Massive Media Empire Just because a word has an "s" on the end of it doesn't mean it gets an apostrophe.

02-28-09, 08:21 AM	#3
shelland Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 774	Re: Ice on the satellite dish 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 __________________ HT Room Pioneer 643hd5, HR20 DVR, Onkyo TX-SR604B, PS3 / Wii, Pioneer DV-563A, Paradigm Monitor 7, cc370, adp370, ps1000, Harmony 880 Living Room Sony KDF-E42A10, HR21 DVR+AM21, Yamaha HTR-5250, Yambeka speakers, Harmony 676 Bedroom Panasonic TH-42PX80U, HR21 DVR, Harmony 510 DirecTV Total Choice Plus DVD Collection

02-28-09, 09:57 AM	#4
Canadian Bacon DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the couch Posts: 15,729	Re: Ice on the satellite dish live swhere ice is not an issue I've heard of dish heaters but don't know if they work or not

02-28-09, 10:09 AM	#5
Spiky DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 5,654	Re: Ice on the satellite dish 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. __________________ Ignorance vs Bliss --Wizdar

02-28-09, 02:33 PM	#7
Jeremy517 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 14,453	Re: Ice on the satellite dish I just use a broom.

02-28-09, 08:16 PM	#8
Ron G Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 964	Re: Ice on the satellite dish 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 . . .

03-01-09, 12:05 AM	#9
Spiky DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 5,654	Re: Ice on the satellite dish Covers are crap, IMO. They tend to be better at collecting snow and ice than the dish itself. __________________ Ignorance vs Bliss --Wizdar

03-10-09, 03:39 PM	#13
pjflyer DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,153	Re: Ice on the satellite dish I use an ice scraper.