Can a sw44 switch be mounted outside where it will see -40c.Power supply
would be installed inside of course.
thanks

I believe they are designed to be outside, so I would say sure.

My Sw44 is located outside but under a covered area. From some installers I get it is okay to be outside, others say it has to be inside. Mine has survived 2 Manitoba winters, and it is working great. I would suggest that outside is okay but covered and away from the elements if possible.

Its always better to have it inside, away from the elements, but that switch is designed for outdoor use
If you can, with minimal difficulty, put it inside, where all of your cables are terminated
This will save you, from going out in the snow/rain/dark, to check or change your switch if you have problems
Especially if you mount the switch at the dish, on your chimney :eek:
Its a really good idea to ground the switch as well, so keep that in mind

It is fine on the back of the dish on a mounting bracket. Use terminators for any unused ports, compression ends on the cables. Tighten connections with a wrench just until resistance.

Make sure it is oriented the right way as well. It should have an arrow on it to show the right way.

Yes, you can place it outside the only thing you need to make sure is that it does not get direct sunlight or rain. You could maybe also put it in a outdoor box installment. Temperature wont do anything to the SW44, Hope this helps.

There is no reason the SW44 cannot be subjected to Rain or Sun, I would challenge the BEV CSR to show me the relevant section in the SW44 Installation Guide where this is said.

As Express Vu supply a mounting bracket for the Dish, and it does not come with an in-built Umberella & Shades, I think your information is flawed.

Moisture getting inside the connectors is a potential risk with the switch mounted outside, so it's certainly better to have it inside or at least out of the elements. As well, direct Summer sunlight on the metal chassis is going to keep the switch running very hot. I don't think his advice was flawed at all, reduce your risks if possible.

-Mike

you need to make sure is that it does not get direct sunlight or rain

Sorry Mike, this information IS flawed, no matter how you look at it. Can you just imagine if a new customer sees that a member on this site, who purports to be a "BEV CSR", says that an SW44 must not get direct sunlight or rain and a Technician arrives to install it in the Approved manner, using the Approved Bracket only to be told they are wrong....

Sorry it is statements like these that contradict the Official Bell Express Vu Best Practice Manual that are so damned infuriating.

The question was "Can it be installed outdoors" the answer is yes.

You do raise a valid point that kept away from the worst of the elements would certainly not harm it and I fully agree with you.

Until the Official Installation Guidelines change, then I say that the information given was flawed.

I'm using a Microyal SW44 which replaced the two SW21 switches that came with my model 6000 back in (when was it?) 2002? Anywho, I have it zip-tied to the back of the dish - outside - exposed to everything mommy nature cares to throw at it. All the cables use compression type fittings with rubber grommets over the connectors to provide a little more protection from the elements. After 5 (or so) years out there in the Ottawa weather (-35 C up to +35 C), it's still working like a champ! Mind you, I had to redo a few of the connectors from time to time (usually when it's -20 C outside - isn't that always the way?).

These switches are hardened for outdoor use. Do not be afraid to use it outside. Just make sure the power inserter is indoors!

The microroyal is NOT the model supplied by Express Vu.

Express Vu supply Video Path SW44's.

Seeing as it was installed back in 02', it may have been on the "approved" list, if there even was one back then
Even approved switches can be garbage, just ask anyone who had the luck of being sold "approved" OMEGA 2x4 switches

Your point about the Omega switch's is very valid, they were indeed dreadful units, no external power options and a failure rate in the high 50% range at one stage.

To the best of my knowledge the MicroRoyal has never been supplied by Express Vu but could quite easily have been on the APL. (Approved Parts List).

At this exact moment in time, there is a huge shortage of SW21's, SW44' and believe it or not Dish's at the Installation Co's, so it may well be that to keep the installations moving forward, some Vendors might be forced to buy some products locally.

I just cannot believe that a Company the size of Express Vu has shortages of a basic 20" Dish, it is just amazing.

The microroyal is NOT the model supplied by Express Vu.

Express Vu supply Video Path SW44's.
I know, I never said it was. The VideoPath switches are even better built than the Microyal ones. Fully sealed weatherproof F-connectors. Gaskets where the casings go together. I have one in my hands right now. I have the manual in my hands right now (Document number 113040). Let's see what it says. Page 5 of 18: "Attention! You may install the SW44 switch outside your building, because this device is made for use outside". "You must install a power inserter to provide power for an SW44 and the LNBFs. The power inserter must be installed indoors."

Well, that pretty much sums it up.

It sums it up 100%, thanks for clarifying that point, just a shame that a poster who appears to be representing Express Vu, BEV CSR, did not take the time to read that document that is supplied with every SW44 and then make statements that could have a significant effect on hundreds of customer installations.

It would also have been nice it they made more than 2 posts.......

It is always good to have someone on the inside but their information MUST be 100% accurate or it will refelct very badly on all CSR's.

I don't believe that the BEV CSR or scrooloose were saying you could not mount it outside and exposed, the point both were probably trying to make is that it may give better reliability if mounted "covered" or indoors.

An installer may not be willing to go to that "extra effort", especially when the installation manual says what it does, but an individual may.

So, the answer to the OP's original question is yes. The further instructions providing options may be helpful for others.

Once again I find myself disagreeing, the post by BEV CSR said;Yes, you can place it outside the only thing you need to make sure is that it does not get direct sunlight or rain.

That sounds like it should NOT be exposed to me.....Unless getting "direct sunlight or rain" do not qualify for being "Exposed"....

I just cannot believe that a Company the size of Express Vu has shortages of a basic 20" Dish, it is just amazing.
It may be in part due to the new receivers shipping with dishes and everyone upgrading to HD. Most people I know have spares now.

When I purchased all my units I always took the option with the dish and LNB just to get spare parts. I have 3 x 20" dishes sitting in the original unopened boxs in my basement and numerous 18" and 24" dishes given to me by people that upgraded.

I agree though that this is a basic item and they should have thousands in reserve.

As for "inside" vs "outside", even though rated for outdoor use, I'd never out mine out there. I doubt rain or sun would affect it, but why expose the connectors to the elements if you don't need to. Do it if you have to, but if convenient, out it inside, err on the side of caution. Makes it easier to play around with your wiring if it is all inside. I run all my phone wiring, network wiring, sat wiring, cable wiring, electric and plumbing into the same location and distribute throughout the house from there.

I agree with SW44 placement, it you are running 4 lines into the house, mount the Switch indoors. For the Tech who is getting paid for 2 lines into the house, the switch sits behind the Dish, on the mounting bracket supplied for the job.

I think one issue for the Dish shortage is all the Big Box store selling Systems, to existing Customers. It is not a perfect system we know but on top of that how many just present the receiver to the Tech, when he arrives, he then supplies a Dish from his inventory, so 2 Dish's are used up for one customer.

And yet there is no way for a customer to buy a Dish from Express Vu, if they need a 2 Dish solution, the Tech has to do all kinds of fancy footwork to make it happen and yet again, it will be the Tech that will not get fully paid for all his work.