12 v wiring issue

[DonnaB]

We had a problem that doesn't make sense and I have no schematics to verify commonality. We had a power supply control board on our Winegard Sensar automatic antenna (it was totally corroded over) which I replaced. About 3 days later we turned on the dash radio and no sound. At the same time we noticed that the TV antenna would not raise. I tried to power off the antenna (it is a motorized unit) and it would not turn off. Removed from the wall to verify appearance of the circuit board, pulled the power connector and verified 12v and ground. When I plugged the connector back in, could not get the power indicator light to light and antenna would not respond. I also opened up the dash panel to look at the radio and could not find a problem.

Now is when it all gets interesting. While I was outside, I hear the radio come on (I had left the radio turned on while I was out telling wife of problems). Mystified but happy, decided all was good with the coach except for the antenna. Two days later I happen to notice that the power on LED for the Winegard was lit. I powered it off, then powered it back on and now the antenna works fine. At no time did I do anything to resolve either issue. We did travel over some horrible roads (we are in Mexico currently) and these problems showed up after the rough travel.

Here is the question. Is there commonality in the DC connections between the Winegard control panel and the speaker output of the dash radio. (While I was checking the radio, I did turn off and then back on the external speaker switch to the DVD player and that functioned properly). Even though all is well currently, I would like to know what to look for if this should occur again.

I have also put this question to Newmar, but expect not to hear back from them until after the Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you in advance for your responses.

Don Beck

[RVDude]

12v mysteries in RV's more often than not turn out to be ground problems. Find every place where wires are clumped and grounded and clean and tighten. Grounds will be everywhere. You'll need to look everywhere. Also tighten any other connections you find in your ground search as well.

["007"]

Also clean the circuit board plug with a contact cleaner you may have some corrosion left over from previous circuit board problem.
If you still have old board clean its contact strip and try board may have been same problem.
We have found contacts on boards or connections will sometimes clean themselves by just reseting them in their slots.