Winegard Rayzor E3

[resullivan]

Turned on Wineguard Rayzor to use for about third time, displays E3 code and does not find any stations. Also when attempting to use either of the rotation buttons it displays an H5 code. Is there any rebooting /checking process for this at this point, or is it toast, replacement required?

[ptw]

Pressing "Search" and "Counter Clockwise Rotate" at the same time will perform a reset.

I started having the same problems and had to have it replaced under warranty.

Paul
2017 Dutch Star 4018

[ficodek]

On my Dutch Star, it took 3 of them before getting one that worked for over a month. When i picked up my Mountain Aire last week, the unit was dead with the E3 code and it had to be replaced right away.

I've never had any luck clearing an E3 with a reset.

[rtspence]

I had the same problem. Dead motor will need to be replaced

[redcolorado]

My first Rayzar worked for 13 months and died last month. I called Winegard and had a replacement in a 5 days. This is a common problem. I wonder if it is related to traveling with power on the unit and vibration? Has anyone opened the unit to see if something is blocking the antenna from moving? If and when mine fails out of warranty I will take it apart and investigate.

[Steele]

While at the Hoots camp in Tampa last Jan. (Before we had our coach) we talked to more than 1 Hoot who had this issue. If I remember correctly the portion of the system that rotates jumps over the internal stop and can't revolve the other direction.

Eventually the motor quits and a call to to Winegard has them sending out a new one. At that time the owners were told a new and more robust unit was forthcoming. We've had our unit since way back in June [emoji57]with no issues. Darn I shouldn't have said that!

John

[ptw]

Yes I did! We are fulltime. We don't have a satellite dish and we were about three months from our appointment in Nappanee.

Figured it was broke and worst case if I messed with it I was out $300. So I opened it up and found an antenna with a motor on it with a small gear that sits on a large gear. The motor and antenna turns around the large gear. The antenna/power wire wraps around the shaft. That is why it can't go more than 360 degrees. The motor does not go bad, the gears get out of mesh, the wires wrapped around the shaft get bound up, or it is not in the proper position.

At first when I went up top I would put the antenna assembly back in place and it would work again. After a while it would just bind up every time we moved our coach, so each time we moved I lifted the antenna assembly and moved it to different positions until the wife said the TV was working.

I searched the internet for pictures of what it looks like inside and this is the best one I could find.

Paul
2018 Dutch Star 4018

Originally Posted by redcolorado

My first Rayzar worked for 13 months and died last month. I called Winegard and had a replacement in a 5 days. This is a common problem. I wonder if it is related to traveling with power on the unit and vibration? Has anyone opened the unit to see if something is blocking the antenna from moving? If and when mine fails out of warranty I will take it apart and investigate.

[fsudelt]

We also just had ours replaced under warranty. Luckily it happen right before arriving at Nappanee for a previously scheduled appt so they went ahead & swapped it out. I had put one of these in my previous coach & also had to replace one under warranty. It's a great product when working but they definitely seem to have a weakness at some point. Hopefully as noted above Winegard can make an improvement.

[redcolorado]

Originally Posted by ptw

Yes I did! We are fulltime. We don't have a satellite dish and we were about three months from our appointment in Nappanee.

Figured it was broke and worst case if I messed with it I was out $300. So I opened it up and found an antenna with a motor on it with a small gear that sits on a large gear. The motor and antenna turns around the large gear. The antenna/power wire wraps around the shaft. That is why it can't go more than 360 degrees. The motor does not go bad, the gears get out of mesh, the wires wrapped around the shaft get bound up, or it is not in the proper position.

At first when I went up top I would put the antenna assembly back in place and it would work again. After a while it would just bind up every time we moved our coach, so each time we moved I lifted the antenna assembly and moved it to different positions until the wife said the TV was working.

I searched the internet for pictures of what it looks like inside and this is the best one I could find.

Paul
2018 Dutch Star 4018

Thanks for the information. If and when mine fails out of warranty I will attempt to repair it myself. I did similar work for 50+ years. Mine is mounted on the old crank up mount so I can rotate it manually as a get by if it fails again.

[lostinfla]

We're on the second one now and it's doing the same E3 code again. I would think these would work fine if attached to a house or something that doesn't move. Put it on a coach, and it is bound to fail sooner or later. I will not buy one of these units again. Had much better luck with the King Jack.

[wepinegar]

In the process of ordering a Ventana with this option! You all make me wonder if I actually should cross this off when I get the green sheet!

[redcolorado]

Originally Posted by wepinegar

In the process of ordering a Ventana with this option! You all make me wonder if I actually should cross this off when I get the green sheet!

The only reason I replaced the Jack head I had is a place we camp on the coast 4 times a year is between the local stations. 2 of the stations are to the north and 3 are southeast. I was tired of turning the Jack when I changed channels. As far a reception the Rayzar is no better pr worse than the Jack, imo.

[lostinfla]

Originally Posted by redcolorado

The only reason I replaced the Jack head I had is a place we camp on the coast 4 times a year is between the local stations. 2 of the stations are to the north and 3 are southeast. I was tired of turning the Jack when I changed channels. As far a reception the Rayzar is no better pr worse than the Jack, imo.

I remember when we had to get up to change channels...

[redcolorado]

Originally Posted by lostinfla

I remember when we had to get up to change channels...

My dad was a TV repairman after retiring from the Air Force. We had to use pliers to change the channel, but we always had one that worked.