.
RE: Modifying DTVPal series casing (housing) to improve air-flow- Purpose to increase lifespan of unit.
(And maybe stability- for those with earlier units, not using the Silicon tuner... the Silicon tuner generating less heat?)
Info to keep in mind:
Dish only warranties unit for 90-days- Hence from a design perspective they care little about the unit lasting long term...
(Who here thinks a company builds something to the SAME specs when the warranty is only 90-days as a unit with a 1, 2, or 5 year warranty?)
UPDATE 2010-02-15:
Step by Step Guide on How to mod DTVPal Series to increase airflow, reduce temps, increase lifespan of unit.
Couple of weeks ago finally got around to modding the DTVPAL Plus units.
DTVPal series units uses a Cam-shell casing design.
No screws hold casing together.
To Split open case:
Best way is to insert a flat blade screwdriver about 1/8 inch into either of the (2) release tabs on REAR of unit. While keeping slight pressure on the tab on the side you're working on, use a plastic gift card /debit card/credit card at the seam closest to the latch you are depressing, Angled down slightly from straight down vertical.
(If you were looking at a clock the card would be at the 1pm, and 7pm position) In addition you might use a small knife)
Start at the very rear, and work your way towards the front.
Once you get one side going, insert something into the already opened section (EG a spare gift card) to keep it from re-latching, then do the other side. Once both sides are un-latched lift the rear of the upper housing up slightly while using the same credit card /thin piece of plastic to dis-engage the (2) locking tabs along the front.
Once casing is apart.
Remove PCB board.
Board removes from front (where LED light is) To remove dis-engage locking tabs, pull slightly towards you to make rear input/output/power connections clear casing. (Imagine how your foot comes out of your shoe)
Once board is out:
On the bottom casing there is a backpanel molded in, to keep the unit appearing stock and to minimize dust, but at the same time vent the case I drilled multiple holes around the entry and exit ports /power connector input.
No holes were drilled in upper casing, nor anywhere else.
Once holes are drilled, debur, reassemble case.
Most time consuming part of mod is deburing all the holes you drill.
I counted roughly 80 holes drilled in the back plate. Keep all holes you drill on the VERTICAL section of the backing plate.
(Backing plate is the section all the input/output/power input connector run thru.)
***************
Tools needed:
Good light
Drill
3/32 drill bit
Plastic Credit/debit/gift card
Small pocket knife
A "larger" drill bit to debur the holes drilled with the 3/32 bit. Say 6/32 (3/16)
Potential Problem area:
When using a knife be aware that board components can be easily damaged. When using a knife try not to insert more than 3/16- 1/4 inch while working casing apart.
.
*******
Search words
DTVPal , TR-40, TR-40CRA ,Dish, Dish Network CECB digital converter box, tuner, crash, crashing,rebooting, lock up, locking up, unit frozen, freezing up, won't power on, off, random resets, non responsive, powering off at random, not responding to remote, runs hot, running hot, reduce, reducing operating temp, temperature, no vents, ventilation, no air flow, lack of cooling, decrease, decreased, increase lifespan, heat build up
=
RE: Modifying DTVPal series casing (housing) to improve air-flow- Purpose to increase lifespan of unit.
(And maybe stability- for those with earlier units, not using the Silicon tuner... the Silicon tuner generating less heat?)
Info to keep in mind:
Dish only warranties unit for 90-days- Hence from a design perspective they care little about the unit lasting long term...
(Who here thinks a company builds something to the SAME specs when the warranty is only 90-days as a unit with a 1, 2, or 5 year warranty?)
UPDATE 2010-02-15:
Step by Step Guide on How to mod DTVPal Series to increase airflow, reduce temps, increase lifespan of unit.
Couple of weeks ago finally got around to modding the DTVPAL Plus units.
DTVPal series units uses a Cam-shell casing design.
No screws hold casing together.
To Split open case:
Best way is to insert a flat blade screwdriver about 1/8 inch into either of the (2) release tabs on REAR of unit. While keeping slight pressure on the tab on the side you're working on, use a plastic gift card /debit card/credit card at the seam closest to the latch you are depressing, Angled down slightly from straight down vertical.
(If you were looking at a clock the card would be at the 1pm, and 7pm position) In addition you might use a small knife)
Start at the very rear, and work your way towards the front.
Once you get one side going, insert something into the already opened section (EG a spare gift card) to keep it from re-latching, then do the other side. Once both sides are un-latched lift the rear of the upper housing up slightly while using the same credit card /thin piece of plastic to dis-engage the (2) locking tabs along the front.
Once casing is apart.
Remove PCB board.
Board removes from front (where LED light is) To remove dis-engage locking tabs, pull slightly towards you to make rear input/output/power connections clear casing. (Imagine how your foot comes out of your shoe)
Once board is out:
On the bottom casing there is a backpanel molded in, to keep the unit appearing stock and to minimize dust, but at the same time vent the case I drilled multiple holes around the entry and exit ports /power connector input.
No holes were drilled in upper casing, nor anywhere else.
Once holes are drilled, debur, reassemble case.
Most time consuming part of mod is deburing all the holes you drill.
I counted roughly 80 holes drilled in the back plate. Keep all holes you drill on the VERTICAL section of the backing plate.
(Backing plate is the section all the input/output/power input connector run thru.)
***************
Tools needed:
Good light
Drill
3/32 drill bit
Plastic Credit/debit/gift card
Small pocket knife
A "larger" drill bit to debur the holes drilled with the 3/32 bit. Say 6/32 (3/16)
Potential Problem area:
When using a knife be aware that board components can be easily damaged. When using a knife try not to insert more than 3/16- 1/4 inch while working casing apart.
.
*******
Search words
DTVPal , TR-40, TR-40CRA ,Dish, Dish Network CECB digital converter box, tuner, crash, crashing,rebooting, lock up, locking up, unit frozen, freezing up, won't power on, off, random resets, non responsive, powering off at random, not responding to remote, runs hot, running hot, reduce, reducing operating temp, temperature, no vents, ventilation, no air flow, lack of cooling, decrease, decreased, increase lifespan, heat build up
=
