Sat TV with only 12v

[ColoMike]

We had the SK-3005 Trav'ler installed and love it. Our RV has a built-in genset, but I was wondering if we were able to watch satellite TV off of 12v batteries.

The TV is a 12v model, and I can run the DTV receiver off of an inverter, but what I don't know is if the sat dish will work without 110v, and if I use the generator to put the dish up can I then turn the AC off and will it stay there? WIll it hurt anything once I fire the genny back up to put it down?

Here is how I would like to use it.
1) Once the RV is set up, run the generator and turn on the dish. It will raise and find the satellites.
2) Turn off the generator, I expect the dish will just stay in the right position once power is removed. Our rig is very stable, so I don't expect enough movement to "move the dish" and lose the sat's.
3) Fire up the TV off 12v and the sat receiver off the inverter, but have the controls for the Winegard control box inside the RV off, then watch TV.

Will this work? Is there a switch in the WInegard control box that needs power? If the control box needs power, can it be run off an inverter as well?

Can't believe we're the only one's wanting this kind of set up, so any help is appreciated!

[Bill Adams]

Once your antenna is up and pointed properly you can turn off the power and the unit will just sit there and mind its own business just like it was an antenna mounted on your house. Power up/power down/power up again and the antenna will still be sitting there ready for you to turn on your TV! If you have a large inverter that powers most of the coach, this can also be used to put the antenna up and down.

[ColoMike]

Hi Bill, Thanks for this info! I'll give it a try since it doesn't look like it will damage the motors on the dish, or that there is not a switch in the Winegard unit that needs power to deliver the feed to the receiver.

We'll be trying this sometime in the near future and I'll report back how it works. Just didn't want to damage anything.

Thanks again!

Mike

[Winegard Tech Help]

Mike,

What Bill says is true, just make sure that the antenna is stowed when you power back up and travel.