new satellite install....

[flynaz-KEY]

I just purchased a  Winegard 8000s satellite antenna and I've read through the install instructions. But since I'm new to the RV world and have never pulled any wires, I thought I would ask for advice here.

I'm planning on mounting the dish unit close to the front in the center of the MH. My question is, what kind of space can I expect to find between the roof and the ceiling? Once I drill the hole for the cables, can I use a fish tape to pull the wires to the front of the cab where the other cables for TV exist? Do I have to pull down any interior ceiling to pull the wires?

Also they suggested sealer for the holes and mount on the roof! What is the best sealer to use for that?

One more question: where is the best place to find 12 volt connections in the front cab above the windshield? I was planning on tapping into an existing map light by the drivers side and running the 12 volt for a backup monitor and the satellite system. Is there a better way?

Thank you

 

[AFChap]

It will almost ALWAYS help to get a somewhat accurate answer if you include the make/model/year of the RV in question...

I will assume Class A since that is what I have ...in most cases there is a seam of some kind inside on the ceiling near the front . Behind that seam, the roof is a "sandwich" of thin wood, styrofoam, etc. There is no space between the roof surface and the ceiling. Forward of the seam is the front cap where there is normally very little insulation. This is why most satellite TV dishes from the factory are installed near the front. Inside the front cabinets, particularly a center TV cabinet, wires can be fished through the roof and connected to whatever. Any wires/cables penetrating the roof need to be sealed with a self-leveling caulk/adhesive. When we junked our OEM Winegard dish and replaced it with a Motosat dish in 2006, the cable holes were sealed, then the base plate of the new dish was sealed to the roof, screwed down, and then the screw tops were sealed. I check the seal annually along with all other roof caulking.

12v power could be brought up the windshield pillar under the trim (easy to remove on my coach). You could tap into any circuit you want to under the dash, or if like my coach, you could tap into the 12v breaker panel in the basement compartment under the driver seat.

 

[flynaz-KEY]

Paul,

Thanks for the info...

I have a 2000 Fleetwood Flair 30H class A.

 

[lindy-FRF]

A lot of RV's are prewired for 2nd A/C units and Satellite units. A call to the local dealer or Mfr rep might go a long way to making the install real pain free and easy.