Cable Nightmare - Grand Design Solitude

[Doc390]

Frustrated trying to use existing wiring for Dish Network. Cabling schematic provided in original documentation not the least bit accurate. Closest Grand Design dealer says cabling layout was dependent on whether Tom, Dick, or Harry was doing the wiring the day of the build out. No consistencies ever, apparently.

I have a Winegard Pathway 2-channel HD self-seeking antenna, and have 2 Dish Wallys. The camper also has a rooftop antenna (presumably FM). The incoming coaxial cable connections provided in the top of the wet bay are poorly marked. Only one goes completely through to the rear bedroom that I can use with a Wally. Another connection in the wet Bay goes directly in to the coax hook up on the far side of the basement.

Trying to get another cable from the wet bay to go up to the front living quarters to connect to a Wally. The dual coax connection provided beneath the television has a switchable preamp in line, but no access to the direct feed from outside in the wet bay.

There are also two coax connections in the kitchen, but haven’t been able to figure out where they go yet. Would love to be able to slave/mirror the kitchen TV off of the TV in front living room but don’t see an easy way to do it without running HDMI cables.

It appears that the coaxial wiring that was done in 2015 was done for cable TV, and not satellite.

[Garyp4951]

I always run from the Winegard to the receiver through the slide before I open it all the way. The RV's pre wired cables have never worked for Dish or DTV.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by Doc390

It appears that the coaxial wiring that was done in 2015 was done for cable TV, and not satellite.

There should a splitter, at least one. On our Road Warrior it was in a cabinet, behind a TV. But it could be behind the area where it comes into the rig.

[Doc390]

The Winegard Pathway has two coax connections, one for each channel. Agree there is probably a splitter buried somewhere in a wall, but not sure how that would help.

[Doc390]

Originally Posted by Garyp4951

I always run from the Winegard to the receiver through the slide before I open it all the way. The RV's pre wired cables have never worked for Dish or DTV.

I’ve done that while using just one Wally in the front living room, but it would be nice to make the twin cable connection in the wet bay, & be able to use the other Wally in the rear bedroom.

[tuffr2]

No two of the same trailer are built the same. Humans are building the RV. One day they do good one day they do bad this depends a lot on their mood. I have seen slightly different floorplans for the same model.

Asking for documentation is, for the most part useless.

[traveldawg]

Originally Posted by Doc390

Frustrated trying to use existing wiring for Dish Network. Cabling schematic provided in original documentation not the least bit accurate. Closest Grand Design dealer says cabling layout was dependent on whether Tom, Dick, or Harry was doing the wiring the day of the build out. No consistencies ever, apparently.

I have a Winegard Pathway 2-channel HD self-seeking antenna, and have 2 Dish Wallys. The camper also has a rooftop antenna (presumably FM). The incoming coaxial cable connections provided in the top of the wet bay are poorly marked. Only one goes completely through to the rear bedroom that I can use with a Wally. Another connection in the wet Bay goes directly in to the coax hook up on the far side of the basement.

Trying to get another cable from the wet bay to go up to the front living quarters to connect to a Wally. The dual coax connection provided beneath the television has a switchable preamp in line, but no access to the direct feed from outside in the wet bay.

There are also two coax connections in the kitchen, but haven’t been able to figure out where they go yet. Would love to be able to slave/mirror the kitchen TV off of the TV in front living room but don’t see an easy way to do it without running HDMI cables.

It appears that the coaxial wiring that was done in 2015 was done for cable TV, and not satellite.

Doc, a picture of your connectors in you wet bay would be quite helpful; or at least a list of what they are labeled....

As you found out, there is a direct connection to the bedroom and to the storage bay.

There should be a third direct connection to you main TV (not sure which one that is) near where the antenna/cable switch box is located. It is likely labeled (or was labeled) SAT. That should be your third connection and the one you likely would connect your Wally to.

I always thought GD did a pretty good job of labeling and running enough coax directly for sat usage.

You can't slave any TV off of another. At least not without running some HDMI cables and splitters. Motorhomes (new ones) do that with HDMI splitters, most trailer manufactures don't bother with that stuff. If you do decide to run cables to route a Wally HDMI output to more than one TV consider some good CAT6 cable and HDMI to/from coax devices at each end of the ethernet cable (that's the way most modern motorhome manufacturers are doing it these days).

[Edd505]

you will need one of these to try and ID the various cable. The tools about $25 at the big box stores.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by Doc390

The Winegard Pathway has two coax connections, one for each channel. Agree there is probably a splitter buried somewhere in a wall, but not sure how that would help.

Cables may not be hooked up tight.