2 problems..

[clyon51]

Just thought I'd throw 'em together.

1. Doing some pre-winter get ready to take off stuff and needed to re-wire trailer and put new connectors on both. As it turned out, the white/green wire at the connector from the coach has zero volts with the right turn signal, flashers or brake light.

What puzzles me is, all these wires for the trailer connection are all in a conduit and head to the front of the coach. (Traced them to rear axel and ran out of time). Everything on the right side of the coach works fine and so far, can't figure out how these tie together. Also tried removing the 3 red lenses on right side (to take a peek there) and all the philips head screw are too rusted to get out Anyway, looking for someone familiar with Nationals rear wiring to find the problem with the right side harness.

2. Need to replace antenna cable to the Batwing and the connectors. I thought where the cable entered the roof, at the outside base, the screw on connector would have been under that rubber boot, wrong! The cable goes thru that base into the coach. So I assume removing the inside crank assembly will expose the outside cable connection. I have to assume there is a connector there someplace since the stock outside cable is smaller than RG6 and the cable at the entertainment center is RG6. I'm sure I'll figure this out, but would be nice to know ahead of time . Thanks in advance.

John....

[kennersonf]

Originally Posted by clyon51

2. Need to replace antenna cable to the Batwing and the connectors. I thought where the cable entered the roof, at the outside base, the screw on connector would have been under that rubber boot, wrong! The cable goes thru that base into the coach. So I assume removing the inside crank assembly will expose the outside cable connection. I have to assume there is a connector there someplace since the stock outside cable is smaller than RG6 and the cable at the entertainment center is RG6. I'm sure I'll figure this out, but would be nice to know ahead of time . Thanks in advance.

John....

John

I just replaced my batwing coax while on my current trip because there was no signal getting into the motorhome. The old coax on the batwing, as you said, is RG59 which is smaller than the RG6 inside the motorhome. You will see the butt connection between batwing coax and motorhome coax by removing the inside crank mechanism buy you will have to remove the batwing mounting plate on the roof to get to it. It was not a hard job. The old connection had corroded and would not pass a OTA signal. Replaced the batwing RG59 with RG6 and ran the new coax through the batwing arms like the RG59. I installed my own connections using compression connectors I bought at Home Depot. Just have some Dicor self leveling sealant ready. It also helps to use RG6 wire strippers to strip the wire. I also replaced the old batwing with a new one. You can buy just the head. I now have outstanding OTA HD reception.

[clyon51]

Kennersonf -

Thanks. I was hoping I didn't have to remove the outside base, but a new Dicor job on it sure won't hurt

I put a "Jack" on the mast last year and just didn't like the looks of the old RG59 and the crimp on connector just came loose. I can see it will be fun running the stiffer/heavier RG6 through the mast, but I like a challenge

John...

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by clyon51

Just thought I'd throw 'em together.

1. Doing some pre-winter get ready to take off stuff and needed to re-wire trailer and put new connectors on both. As it turned out, the white/green wire at the connector from the coach has zero volts with the right turn signal, flashers or brake light.

What puzzles me is, all these wires for the trailer connection are all in a conduit and head to the front of the coach. (Traced them to rear axel and ran out of time). Everything on the right side of the coach works fine and so far, can't figure out how these tie together. Also tried removing the 3 red lenses on right side (to take a peek there) and all the philips head screw are too rusted to get out Anyway, looking for someone familiar with Nationals rear wiring to find the problem with the right side harness.

.

John....

Simple,

Just use arm signals !

[kennersonf]

John, running the new coax through the mast is no problem if there are no connectors on the ends of the coax. You can remove the plastic grommets in the mast to make it easier.

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Simple,

Just use arm signals !

Since my rig is 50ft long, I'm figuring I need 15ft arms to do this. But this is one of your better suggestions. We can always count on you to come through!

[clyon51]

I did a little experiment last night and it was apparent the grommets would have to come out. They appear to be very brittle in their 15 year life. If they break, I'll just get some new rubber ones.

My first move is to kill the bee nest in my AC unit, got stung 4 times yesterday....when it rains it pours

[wa8yxm]

Don't you know iot.. Bee's nest reminds me of a work related story.

There is supposed to be a connector at the roof on that coax cable,,, Sounds like someone replaced it and the coax with a single run.. You have the option of replacing the bulkhead connector,, here is how.

Cut a length of coax long enough to replace the indoor portion (or just pull up like six inches and cut, dress and install a compression fitting,, , I like compression type F-Connectors, they work better)

Get a small square piece of metal, like 1"-2" square with the proper size hole (even if you have to drill) corner holes optional.

Install barrel fitting (Through wall, double female) in hole, Tighten nut well, use Locktite on nut.

Lay down Dicor cault or GOOP (Goop is better here) around hole in roof.

Press metal into goop and come back tomorrow

Cable up to the antenna and Dicor over the fitting. (not goop). One very solid fitting that won't come loose and should last the life of the rig.

[clyon51]

Well I got the right side trailer lights problem fixed. Seems Ford ran 2 harnesses from up front someplace to just behind the real axel. At that point there are 2 multi-wire connectors, one for the coach and one for the trailer. The right side connector for the trailer wasn't putting anything out. So rather than going futher forward, I just connected the right side trailer wire to the right side coach wire. Maybe next year I'll have the ambition to find the actual cause of the problem. I guess I should have posted this on the F53 forum.

Bees are dead, but out of Dicor and none locally. 4 tubes coming from Ebay so will have to put off new antenna cable for a few days.

[96 Wideglide]

Would have been easier to have Claire on arm signals from the bedroom !!

[clyon51]

I suggested she ride in the trailer and do something like that. I get my stitches out next week.