Pace MSS500 MSS1000 MSS508ip MSS1008ip satellite receiver FAQ

SatCure mss500 mss1000 mss508 mss1008 satellite receiver

Clones: Toshiba TS-540, Hitachi SR2070D, Sony SAT-301

Contents
1. Why did my power supply fail?
2. How do I repair the power supply?
3. Can I get extra channels?
4. Can I upgrade my MSS500 to Dolby audio/or to motorised?
5. Are there any "secret" handset codes?
6. I get only a blue screen. What has happened?
7. I get "LNB Short" on the screen - why?
8. Can I use a "Universal" LNB?
9. Why do I get no front panel display (gone dim)?
10. Why does my MSS do strange things?
11. How can I tell how old my receiver is?
12. How can I download the memory?
13. Why do I get no decoder messages on screen?
13a. Why can't I record a picture from the VCR scart?
14. Why do I get "Card Invalid" message?
15. Why do I get picture interference?
16. Where do I get more information/get my MSS repaired?
17. Why doesn't my receiver work with pirate card/PC software?
18. How does the Search Function work?
19. Can I have my MSS500/1000 upgraded to internal positioner and 500 channels
20. Why are certain options missing from the Set Up Programmed menu on my 508-lP?
21. How can I prevent the channel name from being displayed permanently on the TV?
22. Can I upgrade my MSS500 to have an internal Pro-Logic processor and D/D2MAC decoder?
23. How do I enter the service menu of my Pace MSS 500?
24. How do I update cards in my D2Mac receiver?
25. Why do I get an electric shock?
26. Why do I get "Motor Error" on my 508IP ?
27. Can the receiver deliver a RGB signal to the TV scart
28. Any hidden menu options available?
29. How can I disable the internal decoder to watch MTV2 and VH1 ?
30. Why do I now get no vertical channels ?
31. The On Screen Display scrolls to the left

1. Why did my power supply fail?
There are no known design faults in this power supply so the usual cause of failure is a mains electricity power surge or overheating. Perhaps you had a power-cut or perhaps you plugged in an electric lawnmower or drill (or similar) nearby or perhaps you have faulty wiring in the plug, socket or somewhere in your house. The only other common cause of failure is that the receiver has been dropped or banged heavily. In this case the board around the transformer will be cracked and the result is often several expensive chips AND the tuner destroyed by high voltages. Repair may not be possible but, if it is, leave it to the experts. A bodge repair can be unsafe.

2. How do I repair the power supply?
I recommend that you DO NOT ATTEMPT IT. But you will anyway so:
If the board is definitely not cracked and there are no scorch marks on the mains side of the transformer, simply replace the main switching FET with a STP5N90* and check the 27R resistor which feeds it. Solder the transformer joints to be sure they are all right. Replace the fuse with an identical type and put everything back together. If it goes bang, get a qualified repairer to fix it.

*Remember, these are classed as "Safety Critical" components. You MUST use the Pace-approved parts. If you don't, you risk damage and fire hazard and could even be prosecuted under the Consumer Protection Act. Yes, I'm trying to scare you. Use the proper kits. RELKIT10 and SATKIT 10 (CLICK HERE TO READ IMPORTANT NOTES).

Now go to kit page satkits.htm

Overheating can be solved by fitting our fan kit. This has been used very successfully by hundreds of people.

"Dear Martin,

I've fixed one of your fans to my Pace MSS500. WOW! what a difference! I can even close the cabinet doors now and it STILL stays cool!
On the back of the Pace was a plastic cover that is to hide the outlets for Pro Logic connectors, so I scribed a circle round the fan onto the plastic cover and used an old soldering iron to melt it out. 4 self tappers later and the fan was fixed on and the cover put back onto the receiver. I connected it so that air is drawn in through the side vents and then out the back through the fan....Great!!

Thanks again for all your help Martin"

Stuart <stuart.lee@dial.pipex.com>

>I have been thinking about your cooling fan idea, and have some questions:

>1. Is it very noisy?

No, almost silent.

>2. Does it entail modification to the case?

Not necessarily. I usually use silicone sealant to fix it, in an upright position, to the PCB so it blows air past the micro and into the PSU. But read the comments above from Stuart who already carried out this mod. See pictures.

>3. If it was connected to the MSS1000 5V supply would this generate extra
> heat in the PSU?

Aw c'mon! You assume we didn't think of this before selling the fan kits? ;o)

It draws 80mA max at 12v. If you run it at 6v it draws 40mA. Now, what percentage of 500mA is 40mA ?? Eight percent. Negligible and well within the overcapacity limits for this receiver, bearing in mind it's capable of running an internal positioner as well. Besides, any additional heat is more than negated by the movement of air which would otherwise be entirely stagnant.

Now, what sort of LNB do you use? A Cambridge drawing 250mA or an Apollo drawing 130mA. And did you worry about the current when you bought it? ... Why not? :o)

3. Can I get extra channels?
Do you really need more channels? The very latest model has 500 channels. Pace used to upgrade MSS500 made just before the 500 channel model was released but they no longer offer this upgrade. Older versions can be upgraded but there is no kit. We investigated this but there are too many variants to allow a simple kit to be used so we decided not to supply a kit. See 4. below.

4. Can I upgrade my MSS500 to Dolby audio/or to motorised?
In theory, yes, but Pace do NOT offer a Dolby upgrade.
Pace no longer offer an internal positioner upgrade. This offer ceased in 1998.
The only way to upgrade is to *copy* an identical receiver but *please* do not ask me which parts are needed because there are far too many variants. As a minimum you will need the 500 channel microcontroller and you will have to copy the 24C64 or 24C65 EEprom to match it. I can supply the 809-xxxxx microcontroller and the (blank) 24C6x EEprom if you tell me the exact part numbers.

5. Are there any "secret" handset codes?
Yes. The "factory reset" will reset channel 1 only to Sky One. It will also reset the Installation menu settings. It will NOT change the rest of the channels.
Press:
Menu, 0, Store, Right arrow, Left arrow.
There is also a secret code which will display the AFC number on screen.
This works on early versions only, AFAIK.
Press:
[F] [I] (that's a letter "eye" for "Information").
Repeat the same button presses to turn this feature off.
There are reputed to be other secret codes so let me know if you find them.

From Dave: In your MSS1000 faq I couldn't see mention of the following "secret" handset codes (trawled from a.s.tv.e.- I have no record of who originally posted these):-

1- Power-on program: Selects the program (channel) that appears when you power up the receiver.

  • Press F (function key) and then RCL (recall key)
  • Select the program number.
  • Press STORE to save.
  • To disable it, repeat the key combination with the same program number.

2- Audio frequency indicator:

  • Press F (function key) and then RADIO key

3.You can tell which software version you have by going into:

5. Installation

  • then

7. Download

Press STORE and the Pace part number of your software comes up at the bottom of the screen. The last three digits are the version number.
Mine says 103. This won't corrupt your channel settings, by the way, unless you happen to have another Pace receiver linked to your receiver of course!

6. I get only a blue screen. What has happened?
The blue screen appears if there is no signal.
The most obvious cause is that your LNB is not connected or, on a twin-input receiver, is connected to the wrong input. There might be a faulty transistor or a decoder fault. Turn the blue screen OFF by pressing "F" then "store". Make a careful note of what you see.

7. I get "LNB Short" on the screen, even with the LNB disconnected.
Occasionally this happens if you've select power for just one LNB in the Installation menu. The simplest way to correct this is to plug the receiver into the mains and press the factory reset sequence. This resets it to "LNB Power 1 & 2". It can also be caused by failure of C11, C12 in the power supply. If this is the case, you should fit RELKIT 10 which contains the Pace recommended upgraded C11, C12 and all the other parts which will have degraded at the same time. The miniature cooling fan kit would also be useful. Note: some people fitted ordinary capacitors and *caused* the above symptom. Use only the approved parts. It saves a lot of problems.
Go to kit page satkits.htm

8. Can I use a "Universal" LNB?
Yes. Select tone ON in the second screen of the tuning menu for the appropriate channels.

Here is something I discovered whilst setting up my dish which might be
of help to others.


>My Pace 1000 is one of the early models...250 Channel year 1995.
>I installed a Cambridge AE54 Universal LNB, but could not get it above
>12.5 Ghz.
>
>Rang Pace and they were very helpful, the chap in the tech dept
>suggested I try setting it as a Multi tone LNB with 9.750 and 10.6 Lo
>settings.
>
>It now works a treat.


Alabama

9. Why do I get no front panel display?
Problems with the display (dim or some segments glowing all the time or flickering in time with the audio) are invariably caused by faulty power supply capacitors. You can order these as RELKIT 10.

However, if RELKIT 10 does not fix a "dim display" try C2. Capacitor C2 on the front panel board was prone to failure - especially when the receiver has been "cooked". This capacitor should be replaced with a 1uF/50v *multilayer ceramic* capacitor. Do not use any other type. (The original was 22uF electrolytic). We can supply the correct capacitor. See price list.

Removal of the panel is a delicate task which requires the correct tools and careful handling. You need the exact instructions from the service manual. We recommend that this work should be carried out only by persons who are practised in such work. We accept no responsibility for damage which might occur.

However, it is OK to solder the new capacitor to the copper track side of the display panel, across the existing capacitor, without removing the PCB (see arrows in picture)

mss500 mss1000 mss508 mss1008 front panel position of C2

10. Why does my MSS do strange things all by itself?
Occasionally, the rotary switch will stick between contacts. This leaves the microcontroller open to interference and it might change channel or volume all by itself. Give the knob a turn then use the handset to select a channel. An improved rotary switch is available. The early type of Infra-Red sensor can also cause spurious faults, including complete "lock up". An improved Infra-Red sensor is also available. Early type is marked SBX-1910-52. Later type is marked SBX-1910-E2. DO NOT attempt to remove the display PCB without the instruction sheet (send me stamps). You will crack the board in half.

Most faults may be cured simply by fitting the reliability upgrade RELKIT 10. The first move is to replace all the power supply capacitors. Note that those at the front (C11, C12 etc.) are ULTRA-LOW ESR types. Use anything else and you'll see expensive smoke. These are included in RELKIT 10.

Finally, the EEprom might be overheating. Feel it. It's a 24C32 or 24C65.

11. How can I tell how old my receiver is?
The date of manufacture is incorporated in the serial number.
For example: RAAYAH5245xxxxx
The "5" indicates 1995
The "24" indicates week 24 counting from first week in January.
The "5" indicates Friday.
The latest Micro version is ...108. This may be on an upside-down Eprom board or a microcontroller on the main board. (A different version may be used for the motorised "IP" version.) Earlier versions gave no real problems but some customers noticed that the word "MUTE" would appear on video recordings. Also, if mute was not used in timer mode, the loudspeakers might suddenly blast out the sound of "Eurotica" (or whatever) at 1am in the morning! Upgrading is simply a matter of getting the microcontroller or Eprom replaced. However, your customised settings will be lost.

12. How can I download the memory?
You connect a fully wired Scart to Scart cable between the Decoder sockets of identical MSS receivers then follow the on-screen instructions from the Installation menu. You can not download successfully from dissimilar receivers and, to be certain, you should use this transfer facility only between receivers which have identical microcontroller I.C.s.
If you are going to program a large number of receivers, try Kesh Electrics in County Fermanagh, Ireland (013656 31449). They have designed a PC Windows program and interface ("Pace Link") to do this. It costs about 200 pounds.

13. Why do I get no decoder messages on screen?
(Sometimes this affects only certain channels)
Try setting the contrast to 4 in the Installation menu.
If this doesn't work, and you have checked the tuning, you probably have a fault in the decoder section or the video amplifier circuit. Surface mount transistors may fail.. It often happens gradually and increasing the contrast setting to 8 might fix the fault temporarily. We can supply TRANKIT 10 if required. Alternatively, the fault might be cured by fitting RELKIT 10. If that fails, it could be the PTV111, the 503kHz resonator or another PTV I.C. at fault.

MSS500 MSS1000 transistors

See how --> To remove a surface mount transistor, use a very fine-tip HOT soldering iron. Each transistor is held by a spot of glue so do this:

Apply heat to the centre leg and flip the plastic body upwards at that end so it's standing on two legs. Apply heat to the two legs and flip the transistor away. Clean solder from the pads with Multicore desolder wick®. Apply a tiny blob of solder to the centre pad. Heat the blob and use tweezers to slide the new transistor to the molten blob. Solder the other two legs, retouch the centre leg with fresh solder.

The picture also shows other transistors which may fail. They are marked here in RED.
Q61 (not shown) can cause problems with the satellite picture from the RF output but no problems from the TV Scart output. Typically intermittent horizontal lines.

Q41 feeds the TV Scart socket and Q35 feeds the VCR Scart socket.

 

13a. Why can't I record a picture from the VCR scart?
Try replacing Q35 (NPN surface mount BC846B - see picture).

A kit of four uprated transistors is available. Order MSS500 transistor kit TRANKIT 10. This kit comes with instructions. You might also need our solder kit which includes very fine solder. (See bottom of order form).

INTERMITTENT HORIZONTAL LINES OR STREAKS ON PICTURE

These look a bit like "sparklies" but are longer, fainter streaks. They are NOT diagonal or dashed lines that you will see if a capacitor has failed. (If you have ever seen a video recorder with worn out heads or where the "tracking" is set incorrectly, the effect is very similar). You can also get a similar effect if the tuning is slightly wrong but, in this case, it will not be intermittent.

Sometimes the streaks disappear if you switch the receiver off then on. Sometimes they come and go of their own accord. Sometimes they change if you tap the receiver (gently). Sometimes the picture flicks from bright to dark and back again. The Sky channels will tend to scramble intermittently.

The problem is almost always caused by failure of one of the surface mount transistors (see picture in 13 above).

Hi Martin,

Just a quick note to say "thankyou" ... my Pace MSS508 seems to be behaving itself now (tested extensively over a 10 day period), thanks to TRANKIT 10 (the last kit you sent). It fixed the "intermittent blank screen" fault. I had to borrow some magnifying spectacles to solder these buggers on ... you weren't joking when you said they were small! Relkit 10 fixed the audio fault and the lines on the picture. It's a lot cooler with the Fan Kit fitted!

Brian Tunnard

>Here's a little tip for owners of Pace MSS508I/P:
>
>If you get a 'Motor Overload' message, even though your actuator is ok, try
>replacing capacitor C216.
>The upgrade value is 1000uF - 65V - 105ºC
>The above fault is usually accompanied by diagonal broken lines across the
>picture. The repair will also cure this fault.
>
>Garry Bromley.

Thanks for your interest. This symptom is one of many that can be cured by fitting RELKIT 10 which includes this and other low ESR capacitors. In general it is a good idea to replace *all* these capacitors since, if one fails, the rest are not far behind.

One reason for failure is that Pace fitted standard low ESR capacitors (blue) in early models. These were replaced with an Ultra High Reliability type (brown) in later production because early failure was evident - especially where owners were "cooking" their receivers in cabinets or on top of other equipment.

Fitting the "UHR" type throughout and fitting my Fan Kit will usually ensure the best reliability. My TRANKIT 10 also contains higher rated surface mount transistors to replace those which are failing quite often nowadays, causing internittent scrambling, horizontal flashes, low contrast or completely blank screen.

14. Why do I get "Card Invalid" message?
Try your card in a different receiver to test it.
Make sure that the card contacts are clean and the card slot spring contacts are clean and not bent or twisted.
The ribbon cables which connect the card reader board to the main board can cause this fault (especially the one at the left side - check for continuity). If it's not this then the card reader board probably has a fault.

15. Why do I get picture interference?
There are lots of causes. If the interference takes the form of lines across the picture and has only recently become noticeable then (assuming you have not changed anything or moved any cables) it may be that C11 and C12 at the front of the power supply need to be replaced. (Pace supply a higher quality type, included in our reliability upgrade kit RELKIT 10). Do NOT use any other type. If the interference is not caused by these, then the usual causes apply (cheap pre-made RF leads and Scart leads being prime suspects). Intermittent streaks can also be caused by a faulty transistor.

16. Where do I get more information/get my MSS repaired?
E-mail me or contact Pace on 01274 532000.

17. Why doesn't my receiver work with pirate card/PC software?
I don't know anything about this and I don't want to know.

18. How does the Search Function work?
A two-speed search function has always been available on the MSS range of receivers, but is not mentioned in the User Manual. In the Tuning Menu press 'F' to commence the search in 50MHz steps. Press 'F' again to access the 'fine' mode in 1MHz steps.

19. Can I have my MSS500/1000 upgraded to internal positioner and 500 channel specification?
There used to be an upgrade which could be organised through Pace Returns department
However, I understand that they no longer offer this upgrade.

20. Why are certain options missing from the Set Up Programmed menu on my MSS508-lP?
Options 3, 4 and 5 are removed from the Set Up Programme menu when the Dish type is set to Fixed in the Input Menu. These options are not required when the receiver is connected to a fixed dish. The options will be present when the dish type is set to Steerable.

21. How can I prevent the channel name from being displayed permanently on the TV screen?
The Permanent channel name feature can be enabled/disabled by selecting the (i) key then STORE.

22. Can I upgrade my MSS500 to have an internal Pro-Logic processor and D/D2MAC decoder?
Unfortunately, these upgrades are not available from Pace.

23. How do I enter the service menu of my Pace MSS 500?
Go to: mac installation> 1. type 7 6 5

24. How do I update cards in my D2Mac receiver?

To update cards you must do this via the menu for entering new secret codes. This is accessed as follows: Press: MENU 8 Then select "CASS control" (To select an item press arrow up/down to position and arrow right to select). Then select "new secret code" Now you enter 4 digits by selecting each digit with arrow up/down and moving to next digit with arrow right. When the 4th digit has been selected just press arrow right again and the code has been saved. The above procedure must be repeated for each of the 7 codes making up a new Eurocrypt key.

From: Per H. Nielsen
My Danish Scanner Pages: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/9880/

25. Why do I get an electric shock?

>I have a MSS508/IP and a Nokia Palplus WS TV. I have a nasty problem.
>The screen of my LNB cable seems to float at 110V ! ! I spoke to Pace and
>they just suggested grounding It. Have you seen this before? I can assure
>you I got quite a tickle off the LNB, and I am concerned that my 18 month old
>might just do himself some damage with this. > >Alun Jenkins

This is common. Pace receiver chassis (and other makes) are not connected to anything. They are "floating" and rely on a ground connection through your other equipment. If that, too, is floating then you must connect a ground somewhere as charge tends to build up through whatever leakage paths are available.

The current available from this 110v "float" is minimal and, presumably, within safe limits but I wouldn't like it on mine because, as you say, it can surprise you - especially if you are up a ladder holding the LNB!

In Europe, the dish itself and the incoming LNB cable shield must be grounded so this problem does not arise. Grounding the dish can eliminate problems caused by static charge, too. A 1 metre copper rod hammered into damp soil is ideal but a cold water pipe (NOT gas pipe) is OK.

26. Why do I get "Motor Error" on my 508IP ?

This problem is becoming more common with older receivers - especially those which have been kept nice and warm! The main cause seems to be failure of the Ultra-low ESR capacitors around the power supply. These are supplied as RELKIT 10. It's well worth buying this low cost kit because these capacitors are certain to need replacing anyway. Note that these are "Ultra Low ESR" capacitors - you won't find them in the shops and, if you do find them, they will cost a lot more than if you buy the kit (I buy in large quantities to keep the cost low). You can minimise future problems by fitting the Fan Kit.

How can you tell if the capacitors are faulty? Well, you can't always tell by looking but, if you are now seeing interference lines on the picture or if any of the capacitors is bulging or deeply discoloured, then it is almost certain. Also if any capacitor is running burn-your-finger hot! (Don't put your fingers near the high voltage area!)

Other causes of "Motor Errror" that you can check are:

  • Loose microcontroller daughter board inside receiver. This plugs in upside-down.
  • Dish motor limits incorrectly set in dish motor.
  • Dish motor bolts loose.
  • Dish motor reed switch faulty (order from SatCure).
  • Incorrect cable used or shields (screening braid) not grounded at the receiver.
  • Bad connections.

And just to prove that it's not only Martin at SatCure who is helpful:

Yan C Wong wrote:

"My dish motor appeared not to be able to rotate the dish toward east, although it did rotate it towards west, (not continuously, but one little jerk each time the left cursor was pressed). When the two motor leads were swapped round, the dish "jerked" towards the east in like manner. Although it would therefore seem that the motor was OK and the Pace 508ip was at fault, it transpired that the reverse was true. Pace retrieved the receiver from my home, soak tested it and returned it in just over 48 hours. The fault remained. Pace continued to be very helpful and, over the phone, diagnosed that it was due to a faulty motor not returning the vital information of its current position to the receiver. The shop (Spectrum) posted to me (in less than 24 hours) a replacement motor for me to try to see if that was indeed the case. It was."

27. Can the receiver deliver a RGB signal to the TV scart

as well as, or as an alternative to CVBS?

This is how it actually works:

The receiver itself cannot deliver RGB via the TV scart socket.
Think about it - it is receiving a CVBS PAL (or NTSC or SECAM) signal from the satellite, so to output RGB it would have to have a PAL (NTSC, SECAM) decoder built in.

Now, what it can do is to route the RGB signals from an external decoder connected to the DECODER scart out to the TV scart when the decoder is selected. This is the way I run my Philips BDE353 decoder with my Pace 508IP (the same as the 1008 but minus the Pro-Logic board). When the MAC decoder kicks in, the RGB and RGB switching is passed on to the TV and so you get a RGB picture (assuming you are using fully wired leads for the decoder and TV).

The CVBS output is used as the sync (which is why you sometimes get a picture "shift").

If you try to view the Pace's onscreen menus when you are in this mode, a) you can't see the menu because it is only on the CVBS output and you are watching the RGB and b) the Pace switches to internal sync when it displays the blue background menus so the RGB picture from the decoder is no longer in step with the sync. To see the menus, you have to switch from RGB mode to CVBS mode somehow (on the TV or the MAC decoder).

AFAIK, this only works with the decoder scart, not with the AUX scart.

Dave Hill, Bedford UK

28. Any hidden menu options available?

>Is it possible to enable a non used menu item (excluding the
>PAL /MAC Decoder O/P section) that is storable per channel (in a similar
>fashion to your detailed information on the PRD800) that would then give a
>switched O/P I could use to control an outboard LNB Switch enabling two
>LNB's on one socket and one on the other ?
>
>many thanks in advance
>jaslan.

Unfortunately I am not aware of any additional menu feature that you can use. The problem with this model is that menu options are determined - not by resistors - but by the EEprom contents. My past experience of fiddling with the EEprom has indicated that it's more trouble than it's worth. It always resulted in customer complaints as other features went missing or things failed to work correctly.

So, while it's probably possible, I can't suggest how you could achieve it unless there is already a feature that you don't use.

29. How can I disable the internal decoder to watch MTV2 and VH1 ?

You can use a switch to disconnect one wire of C208, the 1uF capacitor next to the PTV111. This should work OK in Pace MSS, later Nokia models etc. Keep the switch wires *very* short and do not twist them together!

A while ago VH1 Euro was on the same channel as MTV Euro is now and there was the same problem.
I overcame this with the Pace MSS500 by linking pin 19 (CVBS out) with pin 20 (CVBS in) on Scart skt 2 (AV2/Decoder). From the External AV menu item 2, I selected AV SOURCE = DEC-V
This gave me both sound and unscrambled vision.
I have just tried the channel again and MTV Euro is coming thru OK too.

From Robert Perrow in Teesside

After June 2001 the Internal Decoder will no longer be needed for Sky Analogue (because it won't be broadcasting any more). If the decoder circuit developsw a fault then, instead of getting it repaired, you might as well bypass it altogether.

Easiest way of bypassing the decoder is to remove R72 (100R SMD) and solder a wire between links LK154 and LK151. You will now not get Channel 5 TV but you will get MTV Germany.

Please note that U29 PTV111 is required as it provides sync for the graphics and the "no signal" message but, if it fails, it can be replaced by a TEA2130.

30. Why do I now get no vertical channels ?

> Hi. My name is Ian. My electronics expertise is somewhat limited but
> I have an engineer at work who repairs amplifiers etc. for my boss's
> other company which does sound systems for pubs and clubs. As
> mentioned in the subject heading, my receiver is a Pace Mss500IP and
> the problem I have is as follows: When changing from a horizontally
> polarised channel to one using vertical polarisation the screen goes
> full of black and white speckles (noise) and there is also no sound
> as if there is no signal. When the problem first started (about a
> week ago) I could usually go off channel and then back again and it
> would then tune in but then it got worse and I found that if I went
> to the install menu and LNB settings screen I could get the channel
> to tune in by turning the power to the LNB off and then back on
> again. However that no longer works. (sometimes the channel will
> come on for a short while but then it goes off again). The LNB
> (Cambridge Gold) appears to be working fine as I can access all
> channels on my Nokia D Box without any problems. (using the same
> cabling). The voltage readings for the analogue Pace are: H=18.25v
> and V=13.85v. On the Nokia D Box the voltages are H=18.16v and
> V=13.77.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Ian, London SE

Ian, my best guess is that your Pace power supply is producing interference on the 13 volt supply which the Universal LNB thinks is a 22kHz tone - so it switches to "high band". You can prove this next time it happens by going into the tuning menu and tuning the frequency almost as low as it will go (around 10.8) when you should see a picture.

The cure is to fit the parts supplied as "RELKIT 10", before the power supply goes bang.

Martin

> Hi Martin. Many thanks for your speedy reply. I can indeed get a
> picture when I do as you suggest. I'll order the kit!
>Ian.

31. The On Screen Display scrolls to the left (be it the menu, the channel number/name or volume level).

1. This model needs capacitors to be replaced every (approx.) 3 years. I sell these as Relkit 10. One of the capacitors, a 1uF bi-polar type, (C108 perhaps?) is in the synchronising pulse separation circuit next to PTV111 chip and can cause your symptom.

2. Alternatively, other parts of this sync.sep. circuit can fail:

PTV111, 503kHz resonator (orange block), 4u7 capacitor.

3. The PTV110 (unavailable) can also cause the same symptoms.

4. Failure of one of the surface mount transistors can also cause the fault.

DISCLAIMER
This information is given in good faith, based on several years of workshop experience involving thousands of repairs. No responsibility will be accepted for any death, damage or injury caused either directly or indirectly by the use of this information. The reader should check the facts himself. It is assumed and stressed that the reader will be familiar with good, safe, electronic workshop practice and will be familiar with all tools, components and terms used. If there is any doubt about the reader's ability to carry out such work competently and safely, the work should be referred to a specialist engineer.

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