Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Modifications and Updates
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-03-2019, 03:30 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Colorado
Posts: 6
THOR #13229
Smile Connecting a Dish Tailgater - Thor Synergy

I have a 2017 Thor Synergy SD24 with no dedicated satellite line. Can anyone tell me what is the best way to connect my portable Dish Tailgater to my RV without running the coaxial cable through the windows/doors. Specifically: 1: Is there a way to use existing exterior connectors (i.e. cable/antenna in) without installing a dedicated satellite line?; 2. If not, how difficult is it to run a new line?; finally 3. Once connected to the satellite, is there a way for all 3 tv's in my RV to pick up the satellite channels?

Thanks

__________________
MikeN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2019, 06:14 PM   #2
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Alabama
Posts: 13
THOR #5884
I had a dish walley and faced the same issue. You need to modify the way your cable is wired and then you can plug your dish into the cable port of your rv. It won't get 1080 but the picture is still pretty good. By using a cable switch box you can still get over the air and regular cable when you want it. I've included a link to a video below.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...il&FORM=VIREHT
__________________
Smeady64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2019, 06:57 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
a RECEIVER is required at EACH different TV in order for each TV to have it's 'own' channels...

now, having said that, no portable antenna, like your Tailgater, is going to power more than TWO Receivers, and even the 'second' receiver becomes a 'slave' to the Main receiver. Without getting into the deep end, the second receiver can only receive channels from the one the Main receiver was originally programmed to, and only when the Main receiver itself is tuned to one of those channels. Whew, that's a mouthful, but it does work for many people.

As to trying to 'watch' Satellite on several different TVs, though, without additional receivers, it IS possible, but each of these additional TVs will ONLY see what the Main receiver is watching - basically a Mirror Image to every TV.
This is accomplished by the RECEIVER, not the antenna. If you have a receiver with a 'TV OUT' coax, such as the VIP211k, then you can connect as many TVs to that output as you wish, using a splitter if you need to. Each TV will see this 'satellite' signal on the 'cable' input of the TV system, when you scan for channels, usually channel 3.


Now, if you REALLY want to power three individual Receivers and TVs at the same time, with each their own channel/satellite selection, then you will have to either have a roof-top TRAVELER antenna, or the 'standard' manual outdoor antenna on a tripod*. These have THREE eyeball 'LNB' antennas to pick up all three Dish satellites - 110,119,129(HD), and all three to three receivers at the same time.
edit:*or, several portable antennas - there's no law that you can only have one!

The reason a portable antenna cannot power more than really a 'single' Main receiver/tv is because it only has ONE eyeball/LNB - and therefore has to 'rotate' to find the other two satellites when you switch to a channel that they have the signal for. If another receiver was able to power the antenna at the same time, the antenna would not know 'which' receiver takes precedence. The Traveler and standard yard antenna don't have to rotate, they are already zoned into all three satellites at once.


As for cable wiring - you are really the best judge of that since your rig will have a different layout and places to 'fish' these cables to the places you want them to go.
Slide seals, either the top, bottom, or even the side, are good places to bring in cables.
Sometimes you already have pre-drilled holes for other plumbing or electrical wiring where you have room to bring in cables.
Sometimes using a window, especially if it is under the awning, is a simple way to do it, especially if you are only using your antenna every-now-and-then on weekends.

There is no rule book or instruction manual for these things - but you'll learn quick enough after a little usage.
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2019, 01:50 AM   #4
Junior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Colorado
Posts: 6
THOR #13229
Connecting a Dish Tailgater - Thor Synergy

Thanks for the info....my RV is not that big and it is just me, my wife, and our dog. For now, slaving the tv's to one receiver is no problem. My big issue is going to be the cabling. I was hoping I could connect my dish to the "cable in" coaxial connector on the outside of the RV and find some way to connect the receiver to the HDMI splitter inside. Do you know if this is an option?
__________________
MikeN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2019, 10:04 AM   #5
Member
 
MichFigs's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Michigan
Posts: 96
THOR #9701
We were wondering the same about the coax in on our rig? Don't really want separate channels for each tv (all three being wired to the same Dish output would be fine for us, using the existing coax in on the outside of our Vegas. Is this an option?


Off topic: Then again have been wondering about recent posts for streaming options too! Maybe this is the way to go with an unlimited data package and stream with a Dish-app?
__________________
"Our Dreamcatcher" is a 2018 Vegas 24.1
MichFigs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2019, 11:22 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31D
State: Virginia
Posts: 137
THOR #5638
To make life easier go to here first - https://www.thormotorcoach.com/owner-resource/ and create an account. Once setup download the documentation package for your coach. Included should be an A/V Distribution diagram which will give you an idea of what you're working with.

The one requirement to make this work is the coax between the sat receiver and the park cable input feed can not have any splitters, combiners, electronic switches, DC power injectioners and sometime no A/B type switches. Cable splices are OK as long as you use connectors. No MacGyver twisting wire and black vinyl tape splices.

The image is an example of what you might see with regards to an A/V diagram. The device where the roof antenna and park cable come together will be a problem and the next item where the signal is then split for the three TVs is also going to be a problem.

I did it on my 2006 Hurricane. Even added a waterproof 12VDC power outlet near the park cable jack to power the antenna. The coach was built in the days when we had a bomb (box or many buttons) for selecting what coax based signal was going to which TV. Made it easy to just disconnect the park cable coax from the bomb and plug it into the sat receiver. I also have a roll of 100' of coax and 18/2 power wire which made it easier to find a clear line of sight to the satellites.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Untitled.jpg
Views:	429
Size:	83.8 KB
ID:	17092  
__________________
2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
Sweetbriar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2019, 02:11 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetbriar View Post

The one requirement to make this work is the coax between the sat receiver and the park cable input feed can not have any splitters, combiners, electronic switches, DC power injectioners and sometime no A/B type switches. Cable splices are OK as long as you use connectors. No MacGyver twisting wire and black vinyl tape splices.
Not exactly true - the low noise block downconverter (LNB) on the antenna needs 16-21 volts DC current to power the LNB. Both dish and DirecTV have splitters that are green label that have a red terminal that passes DC current. Just be sure any switch or splitter is labeled to work with a satellite receiver and antenna.
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
Beau388 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2019, 04:27 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31D
State: Virginia
Posts: 137
THOR #5638
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388 View Post
Not exactly true - the low noise block downconverter (LNB) on the antenna needs 16-21 volts DC current to power the LNB. Both dish and DirecTV have splitters that are green label that have a red terminal that passes DC current. Just be sure any switch or splitter is labeled to work with a satellite receiver and antenna.
And just how many coach builders include satellite compatible splitters on the coax designated for cable TV based frequencies?
__________________
2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
Sweetbriar is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
satellite install, thor synergy

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 03:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2