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Topic: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed (Read 479 times) previous topic - next topic
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Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
I'm thinking of buying a King Quest Automatic Portable Satellite dome  (VQ4100) for my 2017 LD and getting Direct TV. I do a lot of dry camping.  I have two solar panels.  I'm assuming that I would have enough battery power for the TV and the satellite dome.   I only have an old small inverter that I used to charge my cell phone and laptop.  I would welcome any recommendations, advice, as to this choice in the dome (I have a friend who has it and is very pleased.  However, she always has hook ups.)  and in an inverter. What inverter should I get?  What have others  experiences been with satellite domes?  It will not go on the roof, but probably on a table.   Thank you in advance for your responses. 

Monica
Monica
2017 MB
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #1 –
I just had the King Quest installed on my roof with an adaptor that lets you run it while attached to the roof or remove it and position it wherever it best gets a signal. I used a PowerGo 300w inverter with two 120w plugs. I plug it and my direct tv box into the 12v “cigarette lighter” in the entertainment center. It has worked very well.
Dale from Downey. 2012 RB.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #2 –
Quote from: dollinsdale  - 
I just had the King Quest installed on my roof with an adaptor that lets you run it while attached to the roof or remove it and position it wherever it best gets a signal. I used a PowerGo 300w inverter with two 120w plugs. I plug it and my direct tv box into the 12v “cigarette lighter” in the entertainment center. It has worked very well.
Dale from Downey.
Remind us what year/model you have, Dale. Perhaps you could put it below with "Dale from Downey".
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #3 –
Don't all domes have problems with rain?

Just asking as I thought that was one reason the Winegard Traveler was so popular, no dome.
Harry 2006RB
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #4 –
 
"I used a PowerGo 300w inverter with two 120w plugs."

Dale, thank you for your reply.  I just Googled "PowerGo 300 watt inverter with two 120 watt plugs" and many different brands and models appeared.  Could you please be more specific about which inverter you bought and where you bought it.  Thank you.

Monica

Monica
2017 MB
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #5 –
Monica, the information at these links may help to clarify what type and size of inverter you need (and that your system can support) to power the items you want to power.  :)

Power Inverters | Frequently Asked Questions About Power Inverters | DonRowe.com

Inverter Basics and Selecting the Right Model

http://rveducation101.com/Articles/RVInverters.pdf

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #6 –
Quote from: hbn7hj  - 
Don't all domes have problems with rain?

Just asking as I thought that was one reason the Winegard Traveler was so popular, no dome.

Domes can have problems with rain.  Using something like RainX on them will help alleviate that problem somewhat.

The main reason for the popularity of the Winegard Trav'ler is that it has 3 LNBs, so can *see* all three satellites at once (all domes *see* only one satellite at a time).  Plus, with DirecTV, you can get HD programming, something that can't be done with a dome.

By the way, even the Trav'ler can be affected by rain, too.  Not so much the rain itself, but when the main brunt of the storm passes between the dish and the satellites, reception can be lost for a few minutes until the storm moves on.
Linda Hylton
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #7 –
"Domes can have problems with rain.  Using something like RainX on them will help alleviate that problem somewhat."
----
Linda, can you explain why a Dome would have 'problems' in the rain and using RainX or similar would help? (Obviously, I know zip about 'TV stuff'!  ::) )
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #8 –
OK, I did some research; I get it!  (Hmm.....I wonder if the old batwing on my rig still cranks up?  ;) )
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #9 –
I used the GO POWER GP-300 WATT modified sine wave inverter sold currently ( no pun intended) at  invertersupply.com for $31.95.
  While in San Diego during the last storm we had no ill reception affects. In our 1991 RB, with a manual satellite disc we would experience interruptions if it was windy.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #10 –
Another alternative would be a Dish tailgater.  We use one when our roof Satellite is blocked by trees.  You can get HD from Dish with this type of arrangement, but not Direct (it will be SD).  To get HD with Direct you must have the satellite dish Linda recommended or something similar.  As far as an inverter, we have been happy with a simple 140 watt power inverter from Wally World to power the Dish receiver (receiver powers the tailgater and some rooftop satellite dishes).
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Ross and Beverly Taylor  - 
Another alternative would be a Dish tailgater.  We use one when our roof Satellite is blocked by trees. 

The Dish/King Tailgater can use the quick connect roof mount that I think Dale is referencing in the post above

Amazon.com: KING MB700 Quick Release Roof Mount Kit for KING Tailgater and...

We have this on our LTV and LOVE it!  Best of both worlds - carry the dish on the roof, with a longer cable can put it on the picnic table or ground if there's a tree issue.  The ONE recommendation is to change your timeout on your receiver to "never" and the time your dish looks for updates to a reasonable hour, unless you want the sound of seeking to waken you.  (Of course, you could set that time like an alarm clock....)
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #13 –
Thank you Michelle. That’s exactly what I was trying to say.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #14 –
"Another alternative would be a Dish tailgater.  We use one when our roof Satellite is blocked by trees.  You can get HD from Dish with this type of arrangement, but not Direct (it will be SD). "

Thank you all for responses to my original post.  I had planned on getting the Kingquest.  Now could someone please explain what the difference is between SD and HD.  I'm assuming the picture is better with the HD.  Is there a difference with the sound  between SD and HD?   I have a hearing loss so sound is most important to me.  If I decided on a Dish tailgater, is there a model that you would recommend?  I need a portable dome.  Do you know if I would be able to suspend service with Dish as I could with Direct TV for the months when I'm not RVing?

Monica
Monica
2017 MB
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #15 –
"I have a hearing loss so sound is most important to me."

This post has nothing to do with the current topic --- Satellite Dome --- but is intended for those with hearing loss.

I too have severe hearing loss and thought my days as a TV viewer were over, until I discovered 'wire-less' TV audio. There are others but I purchased a Sennheiser RS 120. This device may or may not be appropriate to an RV environment due to the fact that it requires 110vAC for it's power source. It's unknown to me if there are any that utilize 12vDC.   :'(

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Satellite Dome and Inverter Advice and Recommendations Needed
Reply #18 –
Quote from: rvhiker22  - 
Do you know if I would be able to suspend service with Dish as I could with Direct TV for the months when I'm not RVing?

Dish has a pay-as-you-go service which DirecTV does not.

If you decide to go with Dish, I'd recommend the Winegard Pathway X2 if you want a portable dome.

Winegard Pathway X2 PA-6002 Portable Automatic Satellite Antenna for DISH

It can be used with 2 receivers and is capable of receiving both the Western Arc satellites and the Eastern Arc satellites.
Linda Hylton