Antenna amplifier location

[j52wf]

Does anyone know where the tv signal amplifier is on a 257sr? Is it behind the wall plate with the button or hidden somewhere else? I want to bypass it for a mobile satellite dish setup. Amazon had a great deal on a Winegard 6002 dual arc dish bundle. TIA.

[JohnB]

Hi Jim,

On your 2007 Sunline, the power supply to the roof antenna is behind the wall plate with the cigarette lighter socket and the little button to turn on the green light and put power up to the antenna.

The actual amplifier you asked about is up inside the roof antenna. There is a PC board in that roof unit. The wall unit just sends it power.

There is also a cable TV hookup on the outside of the camper and that cable runs to the back of the power supply wall plate.

As for satellite, I am not totally sure on that. We have club members who have satellite and use it with the camper. I know some added a complete satellite connecter through the wall of the camper to a place inside and then to the TV set and never used the Winegard wall system. I'm not sure if you can use the same cable TV setup Sunline had for satellite. I thought maybe the cable is the wrong type. Sorry, can't help on the satellite part.

Hope this helps

John

[264SRinPA]

John is correct that you can't run satellite through the factory cable system. It needs to be on its own system. Our Grand Design has two systems. 1 for cable/antenna and 1 for satellite. You may be able to disconnect the coax cable from the antenna at the back of the plate and only use the coax that comes from the outside hookup. Or you can google "diplexer splitters" that will let you modify the system and allow the use of both systems.

[j52wf]

I found this article for modifying existing TV plate for use with either satellite or cable with the outside cable input. Uses two 6" jumpers and adds two extra connectors on either side of the 12V plug. No need for a new cable run. I don't think the pictures copied. Sorry







Rewiring your Coach for Satellite Use






Many of the newer model RV's come equipped with a dedicated line for satellite TV use.


However, older models will need to have a dedicated line installed as the satellite signal will


be disrupted if passed through splitters and/or amplifiers.


Many RV's come equipped with a roof mounted TV antenna for over the air reception. Most


are the Winegard brand and these come with a signal booster amplifier and a splitter to direct


the signal to multiple outlets. They look similar to Figure 1 below and usually include a 12 volt


outlet.


Figure 1






If your installation also includes an input for cable TV on the outer wall of your RV then this


conversion will allow you to create a dedicated satellite TV cable without the need to run new


cable lines through the coach.


Simply follow the step-by-step instructions detailed here and you be watching satellite TV in


no time.


Remove the two screws holding the faceplate and pull the faceplate away from the wall to


expose the wiring. Try to pull as much of the wire out of the wall as possible, as in Figure 2


below.


Figure 2






Figure 3 below identifies each line. The goal is to route the cable from the outside of the RV


to the faceplate so we can attach a satellite dish. The Red wire is 12 volt +, the white wire is


the neutral/ground. Note that the 12 volt line (red) is live. It is best to find the fuse for








that line and pull it before proceeding.




Figure 3






Mark each cable so you will know where it goes and then remove all cables from the


assembly. Install two RG-6 cable connectors, one on each side of the 12 volt outlet, as


shown in Figure 4. Then connect a small RG-6 jumper from left faceplate jack to the cable


input on the amp assembly.


Figure 4






At this point your faceplate should look like Figure 5 below. (Without the printed labels.)


Figure 5






An additional small RG-6 Jumper cable will be needed to use cable at a campsite after these


conversions have been made as shown in Figure 6.


Figure 6






Reconnect the wires as in Figure 3 except that now the input from outside wire is now


connected to the right faceplate jack as shown in Figure 7. Note that the view of the input


wire from the antenna is blocked by the outside wire in Figure 7. The antenna wire should be


connected to its original connection as in Figure 3.


Figure 7






Reinstall the faceplate to the wall. The wall opening might have to be enlarged slightly to


accommodate the new connections. The completed assembly should look like Figure 8.


Figure 8

[j52wf]

Maybe this will work.

[j52wf]

file size too big. Can't download it with the pictures.

[JohnB]

Jim,

If this is in a PDF file, email it to me and I can get it to work, OR upload it yourself to add in the files section. This is good info to have to help others.

Thanks

John

[Tinstaafl]

John, here's a link to the article. It's a PDF, but being hosted on another site I'm not sure if there would be rights issues if uploaded here.

https://www.tv4rv.com/wiring.pdf

[j52wf]

I sent the pdf file to you, but it looks like Tinstaafl has posted it. Very good article. A few bucks and some labor.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by Tinstaafl

John, here's a link to the article. It's a PDF, but being hosted on another site I'm not sure if there would be rights issues if uploaded here.

https://www.tv4rv.com/wiring.pdf

Thanks Tin, Now that we have the link, all is good.

I can ask our admin about if we can upload it or not. Good point. Thanks

John

[j52wf]

I did the modification today. It was very easy. I had to notch on either side of the top screw hole to get the board back in place. Make sure the inside jumper is not shorter than 6". I will try to post a pic.