Where to run coax??

[Born2RV]

We're working on our tv upgrade in our 2003 Fleetwood Providence and we don't know how to run the cable from the dish network, receiver, etc. in the overhead compartment to the basement storage area on the passenger's side of the coach just behind the entry door. We don't want to tear anything apart. Any good, simple ideas out there???

[GaryKD]

Hi Born2RV,
Please tell us where the overhead compartment, containing the receiver is located.

[Born2RV]

Hi Gary! The overhead compartment is located above the front dash - in the center. The Dish network receiver will be located in the compartment above the driver.

[GaryKD]

Hi Born2RV,
The only way I know to get from the top to the bottom is via the front or rear cap. I know of no way for the cable to be run without some disassembly. It's time to get all limbered up, extension cord, drill, drill bits measuring tape, caulk sealant etc. Before doing anything, look all your choices over several times and get the route straight, in your mind.

1. To get from the overhead compartment to underneath the dash, one can remove either side pillar molding cover.
2. Run the cable out the back of the overhead cabinet and along the back of the cabinets (I know it is hard to reach) and down the pillar of your choice.
3. If you have no pillar molding, take the cable to Lowe's (or equivalent) and purchase some molding you can cover the cable with.
4. Drill a hole (if one doesn't already exist) to run the cable to under the dash.
5. Drill another hole or use an existing hole to run the wires out the bottom (to under the coach) or the front (between the firewall and front cap).
6. You should be able to run the cable along the bottom of the coach to the desired basement re-entry place.
7. Use plastic wire ties to secure the cable. (Lowe's or Home Depot)
8. Once satisfied with everything caulk all openings the cable runs through.

None of the above is rocket science. However, for me it is physically demanding.

Lastly, if the above is not to your liking, then do #1 & 2 mentioned above. run the cable along, up down and around until you get to the floor behind the door. From here you can drill an entry hole to get to the basement. Go to Lowe's and take a look at all their cable hiding molding choices first. This is what you will end up seeing.

[Jim_L]

I'm not sure I understand the situation. You are doing an upgrade...what does that mean? Is the dish already installed and working on the TV above the dash? Also, do you have the selection switch to the other TV(s) within the coach if there are any? If you have a second TV in the bedroom or elsewhere in the coach, the wire has already been run and may be in the basement already. If you are installing a dish and wanting that picture elsewhere in the coach, it would seem that you could merely use the existing wiring if you have a tv switch box. If you do not, then perhaps merely installing one could allow you to switch between air, cable, and dish inputs.

Please help me understand what you are attempting to accomplish.

[Born2RV]

Thank you, Gary! We looked at the "pillars" along the sides of the split front window and are hesitant to remove them as they are beautifully caulked. We don't think we could make it look as nice as it does now. We have also explored the idea of running the cable down along the center of the split window as there is a nice sized "groove" that the cable would lay in nicely. I don't know how we would secure it, though, to that location. We'll check at Lowe's or Home Depot for some other covering options for the cable. Thank you so much for your advice!!! We'll let you know what we've come up with.

Jim, I understand your confusion. I guess I didn't explain our changes very well. I've attached a diagram of what we're planning on doing to help you. We've already replaced the tube TV in the bedroom with a nice 22" LCD. We used black vinyl behind it to allow us to reach in to release the latch which allows the TV to swing out for better viewing. Looks GREAT! We have now removed the front tube TV and are replacing it with a nice 32" LCD and receiver to accomodate the surround sound that was already installed. Yes, we have an existing dome on top of the coach, but it's an older one that doesn't allow us to receive HD with our dish network. Therefore, when my husband decided he wanted to put a 40" - yes, a 40"!! - TV in the basement storage area for his sports viewing, he wanted to see it in HD. We purchased a portable Dish 1000 (cheaper than replacing the Dome) and a 622 dish network receiver on Ebay which we will also be installing. When we're stopped for just a night or two, we'll just use the antenna and dome (purchased a new switch box that allows for 3 tv's instead of 2). But when we're stationary for a long weekend or week vacation, we'll set up the portable dish. We'll be installing a cable/coax jack in the basement storage to allow us to plug into the 622 receiver that will be in our cabinet above the driver. We will also have to run a second coax from that receiver back down to the basement storage for the 40" TV. Therefore, my question of where to run the coax.

I know we'll probably run into a few more "kinks" as we go, but Radio Shack and this forum have been tremendously helpful!!!! Don't know what we would do without all of you!!! Thank you again!

[Jim_L]

Born2RV: Your plan sounds aggressive and I like it. I also needed to get some cables up front for the sat receiver and was able to accomplish it by not running new wires, but using diplexers. Most RV's have an external cable connection for use when you have access to a cable hookup at a campground. If you have one and can find it, it will be in the basement somewhere and go to the front area that you need, thus not necessary to run another wire. If you do have one, you can use it for both the sat signal as well as a cable or tv signal out of your receiver. I have been successful in accomplishing what you wish to do without running any additional cable and merely using diplexers at each end of the external cable hookup. A diplexer has 3 terminals, one for the tv signal, one for the sat signal and the last one is for a wire carrying both signals. The sat signal and cable/tv signal can be carried in the same wire. Merely use another diplexer on the other end to split out the combined signal to a cable/tv and a sat cable. You should be able to send the raw sat signal to the receiver in the front, then send the tv signal back out of the receiver and to the basement tv. The downside is that you are eliminating the cable that is typically used when at a campground and cable tv is provided.

Google "diplexers" for the best deal (approx. $3-$5) and don't use Radio Shack since the are overpriced at about $21.

If you have the external cable hookup and you would like a diagram similar to what you have provided, please pm me and I will work one up. There will be a little give and take (using the external cable wire) but what you want to do may actually be possible without running wires.

Jim

[Born2RV]

Wow!! Never heard of Diplexers before, but I did as you said, Jim, and googled Dish Network Diplexer. It appears we would have to purchase the Holland DPD2 Dplexers since we will have a DP44 Switch installed for the portable Dish 1000 on the tripod. I'm not sure I'm completely following you, though. I know exactely where our external "park cable" coax connection is. But if we use the diplexer, we wouldn't be able to hook up to park cable at all? Also, we would STILL have to run one coax from the dish network receiver located in the overhead compartment to the basement storage for the exterior TV, correct? Right now, the only cable running to the basement was split from the bedroom TV, which is currently connected to the dome and antenna (the dish 322 receiver). It's shown on the diagram. I'm not sure it would work for us, Jim??? So complex!!!

[Jim_L]

Your diagram shows the #622 hooked to the basement tv using hdmi. Were you wanting to run hdmi cable to the basement? If so, the following discussion would not work at all. If not, and coax is what you want in the basement, then I believe it would work. Whereas it is complex, you would have no wires to run and everything would work. The diplexer allows running both the tv and sat signals in one cable, thus eliminating one.

It is complex, but it would work as follows: Hook the external cable end of the wire to the combined outlet of the diplexer. The Sat outlet should be hooked to the Sat dish and the tv outlet should be hooked to the basement tv.

At the overhead compartment, find the external cable in wire and connect it to the combined outlet of the other diplexer. Connect the Sat outlet to the receiver and the TV outlet to an output from the distribution switch. That TV output would send the signal back to the basement if you hook the output from the receiver to the distribution switch.

The sat signal goes from the basement to overhead and the tv signal goes from the overhead to the basement. As you have determined, using the external cable tv coax is the trade-off since it could not be used for that purpose. Whereas this set-up appears complex, to me, it was easier and cleaner than running new wires which, in my coach, was nearly impossible.

Merely an alternative to consider. Good luck on your endeavors.

[Born2RV]

VERY interesting, Jim! I understand what you're saying - but we wouldn't be able to use our park cable connection, right? In that case, I think we'll stick with Gary's plan. I'm looking for something nice and neat to cover the coax that we'll run up the side pillar or the center pillar. Wish us luck! I'll keep you posted! We're back to work this week - but we've got another three day weekend ahead. Problem is - the temperatures won't exceed 15 degrees here this week - so it may be too cold for us to work out in the pole barn, even if there's heat in the coach!

[Elkhartjim]

Oh no....what happened to this thread that I didn't find until today. I've been scratching my head for quite some time on something similar. I want to remove the j bed on the curside slide, install a pair of recliners, add a TV over the sleeper bed on the street side slide. My dilemma is trying to figure how to run the coax into the "slide". I've looked into running down the streetside pillar but then where do I go from there? Any thoughts from you experienced ones? Thanks.

[GaryKD]

Hi Jim,
Read post #4 in this thread. For me, I find it easier to run wires underneath the coach. One can also run wire out the front firewall, then down to under the coach. Then to a point most convenient to enter the basement. Once in the basement I try to follow the same path that is used for the factory installed electric, propane or water.

[Elkhartjim]

I'm good with all that info but I need to run the coax up through the floor next to the outside wall of the slide. I'm not sure if you just let the coax "wad" up when the slide is in and then straighten out when the slide is out. The basement moves as part of the slide. Thanks

[wa8yxm]

I ran my cables down the "A" pillar, this got 'em under the dash, then through an existing hole in the firewall next to another cable that ran through the firewall. This got them "Under" the motor home, then ... more or less wherever I wished.