POTENTIAL PART FALIURE IN MONTEREY 100C SATELLITE RECEIVERS
Source: Al Powell, Texas A&M University
This week some problems with a satellite receiver made me aware of a potential part failure in our Monterey 100C satellite receivers. Let me also reassure you that we have only had this problem with one of the 25+ receivers installed!
The receivers have an internal battery (like all computers have) to preserve the RAM memory programming when the receiver is unplugged. If not for the battery, the receiver would not remember satellite locations after it is unplugged.
This battery can, we now find, wear out or fail.
If the battery fails, the likely result is that you will turn on your receiver and it will give you just a flash of whatever satellite the dish is pointed at, then the "Remote" indicator light will come on and stay on, and the receiver will lock up. It won't respond to commands from the remote control or the buttons in its face. You're out of business.
Unless this happens, NO ACTION is required. Most of these batteries last many years. However, if this happens.....
There are two possible courses of action:
- The receiver can be sent to Monterey's service center (see their
web page, http://www.chaparral.net) for a $97.50 service, in which
they will replace the battery. Even the service center does not
recommend this if there's a local service alternative, as it involves
both shipping and service charges.
- A local service person can replace the battery. The required
battery is a 3-volt lithium type, which is fairly common. It is
soldered onto the top circuit board of your receiver, just to the rear
of the two main program chips. You can identify the battery looking
through the case from above; it's a silver circle about 1 inch in
diameter. You can order the same type battery from Chaparral for
about $20, or your local service rep can replace it with one available
locally which may only cost about $5. Thee replacement does not have
to look identical as long as it meets the following requirements:
- Battery power is 3 volts
- Lithium type battery is required.