Satellite installation

[1987_345]

Good morning my fellow travelers and Merry Christmas!! My wonderful wife has blessed us with the Winegard Mini Max Automatic satellite antennae this Christmas. Bringing my sports on the road!! Anyway putting my excitement aside for the moment, has anybody ever installed one of these things on a AS motorhome? I have a 1987 345. I've renovated this coach inside and out including transmission overdrive, and Banks power pack, so I think I could do it, but drilling holes in the shell and trying to run and/or locate cables is a bit intimidating. Could really use some advice/help/direction. Thanks and safe travels

[Ice Berg]

Sounds to me like Old Saint Nick's GPS messed up . He dropped my Winegard Mini Max off 1500 miles too far south . Guess I was a bad boy this year maybe next year .

[crazeevw]

Ok, 1st question. Are you planning on a permanent installation? If so, ditch the old useless tv antennae. As well, if you have a center panel running down center of ceiling, I believe that you'll be able to access wiring. No idea if Satellite requires 12v or 120v.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

Ok, 1st question. Are you planning on a permanent installation? If so, ditch the old useless tv antennae. As well, if you have a center panel running down center of ceiling, I believe that you'll be able to access wiring. No idea if Satellite requires 12v or 120v.

The original TV antenna is far from useless; it may be used to receive the new digital signals with NO modifications. Even if you don't have a digital TV, there are low-cost digital tuners available to update an old TV.

I would check that the connectors were in good shape, however...

ps: the satellite antenna recieves its power from the satellite tuner, through the usual RG59 it connects to it with.

[1987_345]

Well I've already upgraded the two original tv's with two flat screen 12v DVD-HD tv's so we're limited with what the original antennae will deliver. Plus its kinda broken. The masts won't extend anymore. Anyway I had thought about installing the minimax in that location because I would be able to power it off of the light circuit and the original coax running to both tv's was still there. (hopefully I could utilize them in the new installation). The only disadvantage to a mid mount is that often when backed into a camp spot the middle to the back of the coach is under trees, thus potentially blocking the signal. I'm told thats why most of them are mounted on the front. Unfortunately I don't have a center panel like the pic shows. If I mount it in the front Im looking at trying to remove interior ceiling panels.....

[wxbuoy]

What about running the wires the same way they do the solar installs. Just brung it down the refer vent and run it forward to your box. Or drop it through the floor by the refer and run it underneath from there.

[adonh]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

What about running the wires the same way they do the solar installs. Just brung it down the refer vent and run it forward to your box. Or drop it through the floor by the refer and run it underneath from there.

That's what I did when I installed a Wingard Traveler on my 1976 Sovereign. I ran the cables through 3/4 PVC grey conduit as shown over to the fridge vent. My TV sits on a small shelve just forward of the fridge. It worked perfect. The conduit can not be seen unless you get on a ladder. Since this picture was taken I have had the top painted white along with the conduit.

[1987_345]

Those are good ideas. I hadn't thought about using the refer compartment. Thank-you very much. I'll post the results after I get finished...