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bdc278 · 02-11-2013, 10:04 PM

I have a Kingdome Satellite dome, model 9704 P w/built in DVB mounted on my 2008 Winnebago Adventurer motorhome. Last year returning home from the East Coast the dome quit working, would not turn on, no power, no tracking, no anything. Stopped at a Camping World in Alabama and a "technician" diagnosed the problem as a nut backed off a bolt, landed on the motherboard and "fried" it. He said it couldn't be repaired (at least by him) and tried to sell me a new Wingard for $2200 installed. I told him thanks but no thanks.
My question is does anyone know of any company in the greater Los Angeles county area where I can get a diagnosis/repair of this model dome? I have been to three Camping World service centers in LA county and none of them do repairs on Kingdome domes any more. I contacted Kingdome and they said I could take it to any dealer in the area or send it back to them for repairs. I'm open for any suggestions, just don't know how accurate the first diagnosis was. Thanks for any help.

94-Newmar · 02-12-2013, 07:25 AM

Based upon the description of the problem by the first tech who investigated it I would concur that it is certainly a plausible event. A metallic nut rolling across numerous solder traces could certainly wreak havoc. I've seen metallic objects (chassis screws) rolling around in Computer towers which generally results in the same issue that you probably have.

Not sure how handy you are, but if it were me, I would remove the control board from the unit and ship it back to KingDome for them to look at. It may be something as simple as a damaged solder trace, which can easily be repaired, or it could have toasted the cpu - which, at that point, it would be simpler (less expensive) to just purchase a new control board from them.

Razzman · 02-15-2013, 10:23 AM

So I have to ask did you actually see the offending nut in there or did the tech just show you one and tell you that? Have you verified power at the switch/controls to the dome? It could simply be a power transfer issued.

Exfireguy · 02-28-2013, 04:26 PM

Don't know if by now you have returned home and had it repaired but I had a similar set of problems with my King Dome this year. I checked all of the usual causes particularly the power to the dome. I had 12V existing at the feed to the dome so I assumed that that wasn't the issue. For some reason I finally checked and found that the ground was missing at the dome. Without tearing out the ceiling to trace the path of the wiring I just grabbed a ground leg from a nearby 12V light fixture and that was it! Hope your problem is as easy.