Connections for Factory RCA TV November 10, 2008, 03:20:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97167Hello everyone out there who knows more than WE!! Here we are 5 months later... just getting around to looking into the TV connections on our 2003 (almost new-to-us) 26.5 RB. Ultimately, we will have a different TV, but for now, we're trying to see what's what with the connections and trying to get the original little RCA TV working. We're getting power but have a good clue as to why we're unable to get a TV picture. Sharing the "clue" with YOU so you may be able to shed some light on the subject for us…. please see photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28930740@N02/sets/72157608816049040/As labeled in the pictures, Cable #1 appears to be the feed to the (DSS--Ant/Cable) splitter. It is hanging free and has no connector on the end; it appears to have been cut and stripped as only a little bit of wire protrudes from the end. Where is this supposed to go?? And what about the Cable #2, as labeled in the photos?? It DOES have a connector!Please share your knowledge ... and thanks in advance!DW & DW
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #1 – November 10, 2008, 04:25:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97168"We're getting power but [don't] have a good clue as to why we're unable to get a TV picture." Does the videocassette player give you a picture when playing a tape? If so, you may simply need to switch from VCR mode to TV mode using the remote. See your owner's manual (if it came with the coach) for details.Is the antenna/cable switch (small silver box on ceiling) in "ANT" position? Slide the switch back and forth a few times to help get any oxidation off its contacts, and make sure it ends up in the "ANT" position.Is the antenna preamp (black rectangular plate with 12V outlet and antenna jack, located on wall beneath antenna/cable switch) turned on? If you don't see a red LED lit up on that panel, the preamp is off. A tiny black pushbutton on the plate turns it on or off. If the LED is on, try running a cable directly from the antenna jack on that outlet plate to the TV's antenna input, bypassing all that other stuff. Make sure the TV is set to a channel that you know you can receive in your area. Rotate the rooftop antenna to find the strongest signal.If that works, buy or borrow an "F" type coaxial crimper (about ten bucks for a cheap one) and a few "F" connectors, and put a connector on the bare end of that cable #1. Connect it to the TV's antenna input and try again. Hopefully others who still have a 2003-vintage RCA TV/VCR can provide more detailed suggestions, but these are a few things you can try. :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #2 – November 10, 2008, 04:48:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97169Quote Hello everyone out there who knows more than WE!! Here we are 5 months later... just getting around to looking into the TV connections on our 2003 (almost new-to-us) 26.5 RB. Ultimately, we will have a different TV, but for now, we're trying to see what's what with the connections and trying to get the original little RCA TV working. We're getting power but have a good clue as to why we're unable to get a TV picture. Sharing the "clue" with YOU so you may be able to shed some light on the subject for us…. please see photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28930740@N02/sets/72157608816049040/As labeled in the pictures, Cable #1 appears to be the feed to the (DSS--Ant/Cable) splitter. It is hanging free and has no connector on the end; it appears to have been cut and stripped as only a little bit of wire protrudes from the end. Where is this supposed to go?? And what about the Cable #2, as labeled in the photos?? It DOES have a connector!Please share your knowledge ... and thanks in advance!DW & DW I would get rid of that splitter and just connect that white antenna cable in Pic #1 to the TV. Then turn on your preamp and adjust your antenna per Andy. That splitter was added on at a later date and not by LD. Joe Hamm-2003 MB
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #3 – November 10, 2008, 05:48:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97170QuoteAs labeled in the pictures, Cable #1 appears to be the feed to the (DSS--Ant/Cable) splitter. It is hanging free and has no connector on the end; it appears to have been cut and stripped as only a little bit of wire protrudes from the end. Where is this supposed to go?? Andy's suggestions look good for any trouble shooting that the TV set itself requires. Cable #1 appears to be the OUTPUT of the DSS--Ant/Cable SWITCH. It is probably intended to go to the TV set's antenna input. Somehow the F- Connector has been pulled off the the cable's end. You will need to install another connector to make the connection. Get some F-Connectors. If they have separate crimp rings, first thread the ring onto the cable and push it back so it will be there when you need it. Strip about 3/4" of the outer plastic, foil, braid, and inner insulator off, leaving the solid copper wire of the inner conductor bare. Be sure that there are no fragments of the outer shield dangling to short against the inner conductor and then carefully push the tube part of the F-Connector under the braid and foil and shove it on as far as possible. It is best if the inner insulator is just flush with the bottom of the F/connector when you look inside it. Now crimp it. I have use everything for this from a crimping tool on the connector's own crimp to a short piece of picture frame wire wrapped around the fitting just behind the part that rotates on and twisted with pliers. All that counts is making sure that the foil and braid is in firm contact with the shell of the F-Connector. Lastly, when completed, the center conductor should extend just beyond the F-Connector's shell perhaps 1/8" or 1/16". If it's too long, cut it to length.Quote And what about the Cable #2, as labeled in the photos?? It DOES have a connector! Cable #2 is coming from the extra set outlet of your Ant/Cable system. It will have the same signal that you get from Cable #1 when it is set to the Ant/Cable position. I have no idea why it's there. That's the connector I used to get the signal for my DTV converter box. If you are where you can put up the TV antenna and turn on the antenna amplifier (hopefully you are located where there are TV signals!), you might hook up Cable #2 to the TV set and see if you can get a picture. Once you get a picture from that cable, then you can try to connect Cable #1 to the TV set. That way you won't be fighting the F-connector problem while you try to unravel whether or not the TV set works.Have fun.Linley
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #4 – November 10, 2008, 09:32:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97174Thanks for the excellent tips and EXPERT guidance! We NOW have a working 'vintage' TV! We had no idea the antenna preamp had to be powered on. The button was hiding behind one of the cables and once pushed .. the green LED came on. Then, we connected Cable #2 to the TV (as we'd tried before we knew about the preamp power), and VOILA! We have a picture! And because we are at Gamble Rogers State Park in lovely Flagler Beach, FL!!!... we even have a few local channels to choose from! Next, we will get an F-connector to put on the end of Cable #1 and with Linley's fine instructions, will be able to perform the task with no problem.Thanks again!!!DW
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #5 – November 10, 2008, 09:58:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97175"I would get rid of that splitter... That splitter was added on at a later date and not by LD." Actually, it is original equipment. My 2003 midbath had one just like it (until I ripped out all the wiring when I ditched the TV). You see, an exterior cable-TV connector was an option, and on rigs so equipped (as mine was, but I'm guessing Joe's may not have been), the factory installed a small, silver A/B switch that allows you to select either the external cable-TV connection (if you're in a commercial park with cable hookups) or the roof-mounted "batwing" TV antenna. Unlike an RF splitter, the antenna/cable switch allows only one signal at a time, and it doesn't cause signal loss the way a splitter does. That said, it is one more thing that could go wrong, so if all else failed, bypassing it as Joe suggested would be worth trying as a troubleshooting technique. But doing so would eliminate the ability to hook up to cable TV.... and fortunately, in this case it wasn't necessary. :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #6 – November 10, 2008, 11:52:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97176Hi Debbie,Glad you got the old RCA working. It's a great little TV.Just a little more information based on some things I learned while fooling around with the same TV
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #7 – November 11, 2008, 08:52:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 97180QuoteThanks for the excellent tips and EXPERT guidance! We NOW have a working 'vintage' TV! Just be aware that your TV will no longer work come February for over the air reception without the addition of a converter. You did mention something about eventually replacing the TV, so if you don't want to spend the money for a converter (the government will send you up to 2 $40 coupons toward their purchase), you'll want to get a new digital TV prior to February.Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #8 – November 11, 2008, 09:38:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 97182QuoteJust be aware that your TV will no longer work come February for over the Quoteair reception without the addition of a converter. You did mention something about eventually replacing the TV, so if you don't want to spend the money for a converter (the government will send you up to 2 $40 coupons toward their purchase), you'll want to get a new digital TV prior to February. Which, by the way, will still work fine with your current LD antenna.Steve
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #9 – November 11, 2008, 10:37:36 am Yahoo Message Number: 97185Linda brings up a good point about the switch to digital broadcasting. You do need to install the Digital converter if you intend to receive over-the-air signals on your 13" RCA. Look at message 96643 for a description of my installation. It's actually quite easy to do and will extend the life of your TV if you wish.Pete
Re: Connections for Factory RCA TV Reply #10 – November 12, 2008, 03:33:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97204I think, before too long now, we may choose to upgrade our vintage TV, but thanks so much for sharing your information. It is much appreciated!DW
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Topic: Connections for Factory RCA TV (Read 3 times)
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