KVH R4SL voltage problem

[Gary RVRoamer]

I replaced my old KVH TracVision SF dome with a new R4SL recently. I've discovered that when boondocking the dome does not get enough voltage to power the motors that turn the LNBs to search for the satellite. Works fine if the genset is running or shore power is present, but not on battery alone. I'm getting 12.6V to the KVH switch, but apparently that isn't enough cause I only hear a few grunts from the dome and the search never completes. Start the generator and within a minute the motor begins to whirr and pretty soon I have a successful search and can watch tv. Once the bird has been found, I can turn off the generator.

It appears to me that the R4Sl requires 13+ volts to power the motor to do a search. Nothing less will do. I've measured the voltage right at the switch and with battery only it is getting the expected 12.6V but that is not enough.

Anyone else have this experience with an R4Sl or similar model (R5, R6, etc).

[Gary RVRoamer]

I replaced my old KVH TracVision SF dome with a new R4SL recently. I've discovered that when boondocking the dome does not get enough voltage to power the motors that turn the LNBs to search for the satellite. Works fine if the genset is running or shore power is present, but not on battery alone. I'm getting 12.6V to the KVH switch, but apparently that isn't enough cause I only hear a few grunts from the dome and the search never completes. Start the generator and within a minute the motor begins to whirr and pretty soon I have a successful search and can watch tv. Once the bird has been found, I can turn off the generator.

It appears to me that the R4Sl requires 13+ volts to power the motor to do a search. Nothing less will do. I've measured the voltage right at the switch and with battery only it is getting the expected 12.6V but that is not enough.

Anyone else have this experience with an R4Sl or similar model (R5, R6, etc).

[Bill Adams]

This would not surprise me in the least. That doesn't make it right and you need to be in contact with KVH and/or your dealer as soon as possible.
I can assure you that there is no one here on this forum who can help you more than they can.
Thanks for the info and please be sure to let us know what the resolution to the problem is.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I've got an email request into KVH Tech Support and am waiting for a response. I'm a long way from the installing dealer, but he says he will get me an AC/DC power supply some how if KVH won't make it right. I'm capable of doing the work myself, so that's not an issue.

I'm really disappointed that KVH put out a product with this shortcoming, though. Wish [now] I had gone with the Motosat 5 LNB open face unit instead, but HD was not a big item for us and the price difference was, so we went with the lower priced R4SL.

[Gary RVRoamer]

KVH tech support says they are "not surprised" that the R4SL doesn't work on a straight battery power and that 13+ volts is recommended. The fact that their install manual says 10-16v source voltage is required did not seem to impress the tech. KVH offered to sell me their AC/DC power supply (part #S19-0402) for $83 plus shipping or suggested Radio Shack #22-508 as a locally available alternative. New R4's and R5's come with the AC/DC supply, but they declined to give me one for mine, even though it was purchased after KVH began shipping the AC/DC supply with new units. Mine came from dealer stock and apparently pre-dated the addition of the power supply to the standard package.

I contacted my dealer and he offered to split the cost of getting a power supply for mine, so I guess that's my solution. Fortunately adding it will be easy in my configuration - there is a 120 VAC junction box right behind the KVH power switch and it is on an inverter-supplied circuit that will be hot whenever we watch tv anyway.