Tv signal loss when charging ipad

[cbrittan]

So, in just a very few days since I raised this issue, we are learning that the failure of TV reception in 15 and 16 models, perhaps even 17 production too, is apparently caused by after market product choices AS includes in our models. For example, the introduction of the "ducted" air forced on all of us a TV antennae that cannot be raised or directionally focused. There appears to be no way for AS to perforate the new roof to allow the old style, fully adjustable antennae that served us so well for decades.

It seems we are describing faults that are apparently caused by the mix of 110v/ 12v equipment that are not happy about being together in the same wire bundle. And those of us who previously owned AS's with antennas that could be raised and aimed, are not satisfied with what we have today.


As far as I know, AS has never refused to fix any warranty problem brought to their Jackson Center shop for a fix. I am thinking it's not enough for us just to be complainers, but we as owners should be bringing these troubles right to the source for a fix. This might bring AS to a fix that can be delivered to owners from dealers who today, apparently have no solutions.


Have you tried JC yet, and if so, did they fix or fail? Or maybe you have decided to ignore the problems, just work around things, and say and do nothing?


The alternative is not so appealing. Maybe we should just charge our Apple products in our tow vehicle, not the AS. And only use cable TV.


I think we have a part to play in finding the solution.

[xrvr]

Installing more high tech items often comes at a loss of use ability of the trailer for camping.

[rbg46]

here is the response I got from AS customer service regarding the signal loss problem...

I have replicated the problem with six different Apple and Android products...all using the original charging cables...

with a plug in charger in a 120v outlet, there is no problem...

it seems to be a shielding, circuit isolation problem in the 12v and/or USB wiring....it is worth noting that the usb ports and antenna amplifier are not shown in the owner's manual wiring diagrams

it seems everyone who has encountered the problem needs to write to them so that they are aware of the issue...


"customer_support@airstream.com

8:17 AM
Good morning Richard,

I hope you had a nice Monday! I haven’t heard about this type of issue before to be honest. I have asked around our service center and our technicians are saying there really isn’t a fix for this except maybe changing out the USB ports. Even that might not solve the issue. It would also be hard to pin point what is causing the interference. It could be the UBS port, the charger cord that is being used, or even the device itself that it being charged. I apologize I do not have a better answer for you. An authorized dealer might be able to help out with this more. Again, I apologize!

If I may assist you further. Please feel free to contact me!

Sincerely,

CraigWeir
Airstream Customer Relations
937-596-6111 Ext. 7401
"

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Plan-B

Also with the circular HD attennas many times when you riaise the front fantastic fan vent , with fan on or off, it will kill your TV reception. Lower the vent and your reception comes back. Must be the metal frame in the vent getting in the way of the antenna.

That is a separate issue. Digital TV broadcasting is very separable to line of sight issues. The charging issue may be a problem of capacitive coupling. Airstream has long run all wiring along the ceiling in close proximity to each other. While this is not an issue between 120 ac and 12 dc one would have to look at the noise that may be on the USB charging circuit. An interesting experiment would be if you can locate the 5 volt source disconnect the current wiring from it and run a new test line down the center of the trailer and see if the problem goes away.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by HowieE

... if you can locate the 5 volt source disconnect the current wiring from it and run a new test line down the center of the trailer and see if the problem goes away.

The USB outlet contains a 12v to 5v transformer - there is no 5v circuit.

[lsbrodsky]

Interestingly, I have replaced 120v outlets with outlet/USB outlets with no interference. Of course that is a 120v AC to 5 v DC conversion. I wonder if that makes a difference?
Larry

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

The USB outlet contains a 12v to 5v transformer - there is no 5v circuit.

Since a transformer will not work with DC we have to assume there is other circuity that is generating the noise. I did not know whether there was a single source for the 5 volts in my above comment. If each outlet has it's own rectifier circuit and those circuits are generating noise looks like the solution is get rid of them.

The clocks I use in my trailer have USB tap and I have not seen any problem with other electronics while they are charging a device.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Since a transformer will not work with DC we have to assume there is other circuity that is generating the noise.

I think that the USB outlets may use a shunt regulator (resistance) to drop the voltage.

I took out the one in the cabinet with my radio/DVD player and replaced it with a marine grade 12v outlet, but haven't yet tried that with the cigarette lighter usb adapter while watching the TV. The quality of the USB outlets looked inferior compared with the Blue Sea USB outlets marine outlets (CA$45) that I have used before.

West Marine sells a nice unit that includes a 12v outlet and a dual outlet USB (US$50) with an integrated 15 amp circuit breaker and an on/off switch to eliminate any parasitic draw when not in use. I am considering replacing the USB outlet in the night stand by the bed and using this instead. I like to have the 12v outlet to power some devices that still require 12v.

[jayseejay]

We have a late 2015 unit and are heavy users of all the USB ports with iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Canon, Sony and Garmin devices, and have not experienced the problems described here. We've also had satisfactory performance from the round TV antenna compared to the manually adjustable one on our 2011 unit. Joe