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Old 04-30-2020, 11:52 AM   #1
BruceEA
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Key tv control module

I just bought a Cougar 5th Wheel and like all new ones, it has Keystones "Key TV" Control Module that is supposed to make viewing much easier. Well, that's not my experience. I tried to use my Dish Network portable satellite system and could not get it to find the satellites. When I hooked the satellite dish direct to my receiver, bypassing the KeyTV module, everything works fine. I replaced the module and it partially worked (found one out of three satellites) ten would not work at all. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT WAS THE FIX?
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Old 04-30-2020, 11:58 AM   #2
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I just bought a Cougar 5th wheel and had the same problem. Using the camper wiring, my receiver would not even recognize that the portable satellite dish was connected! I ran a new line just for the dish and everything works good.
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Old 04-30-2020, 12:10 PM   #3
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It may be loose co-ax connectors in the system, a splitter that isn't "satellite rated" or a length of co-ax cable that isn't compatible with the satellite system.
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Old 04-30-2020, 12:21 PM   #4
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On my 2017 327res i have found that the splitter in the ceiling behind the antenna amp and and the antenna amp did not let my dish signal pass thru.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:37 PM   #5
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It's been a popular issue. If you search the forum for "Key TV" I'm sure you'll find lots of reading material.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:47 PM   #6
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And, with all the above possibilities, it could be something as simple (and unrelated to technology) as a staple through a co-ax cable... Which cable, where in the trailer??? If it's not an "easily identifiable problem AND you've already replaced the Key TV box, the next stop, should probably be the dealership's "tech services specialist"...
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Old 04-30-2020, 03:05 PM   #7
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The KeyTv uses end runs from the access box outside, no splitters at all. A few quick checks; make sure the blue light is on outside and you are plugging in to the SAT input connector. Make sure you are using the right connection at the wall plate behind the TV (one says CATV/ANT and the other is SAT. With KeyTv, there is no booster button. Try swapping connections, maybe it was connected wrong at install. Try pulling the KeyTv box outside and checking output cable color/number and then pull the inside wall plate to confirm it’s the same. With the KeyTv box pulled out, try connecting the Sat dish output to one of the cables after the KeyTv and check for operation at the wall plate. This will tell you if it is KeyTv or the wiring to the wall plate that is the issue.
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Old 05-02-2020, 11:11 AM   #8
BruceEA
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Thanks to all.
I've tried all of the above and more and have isolated down to the Control module. Waiting to see what my dealer is going to do about it. Since it's the second module that's gone bad, I want them to install an input jack on the side of my unit and wire it direct to my receiver. Not hi-tech but it works.
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Old 05-03-2020, 12:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceEA View Post
Thanks to all.
I've tried all of the above and more and have isolated down to the Control module. Waiting to see what my dealer is going to do about it. Since it's the second module that's gone bad, I want them to install an input jack on the side of my unit and wire it direct to my receiver. Not hi-tech but it works.
Just be aware that if they put three Sat TV cable connections on your trailer, you will loose the ability to watch both Park CATV and Sat TV at the same time. The problem is the Signal combiner (KeyTV main module)/de-combiners (TV location wall plates) and the process that this type of system is engineered to accomplish. Unfortunately, there is only one RG6U cable coming from each TV location to the KeyTV many module location when there should be two. Connect your Sat dish to each of those cables then you now dedicate their use to Sat Tv exclusively. The wall plates at each Tv location will also have to have be changed to just a simple cable connection plate and not the de-combiner type module that they presently are. As evidenced by their propaganda video on the subject, Keystone clearly tried to make things "easier" for customers who wanted a "simpler" way to connect to both Park CATV and a Satellite receiver. The only challenge however for those of us that have more then one Sat receiver that we watch at the same time is they have made it impossible to do so.
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Old 05-03-2020, 06:17 PM   #10
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Fyi here is a standard wiring diagram from Keystone... (you could troubleshoot the Sat connection by moving the Sat box to different TVs)...

If you get fed up with Key TV just add a dedicated receptacle like show below I have this installed in the floor of the slideout where my living room TV console is located
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Old 05-04-2020, 07:23 AM   #11
EMTPRescue
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has anyone out there figured out who Keystone is buying this system from? I have no doubt that my system will fail just as most of the folks on the thread have experienced. There is no way I am hauling my unit to a dealer just to have them tell me what I have been able to diagnose myself. Nor am I willing to pay both the dealership markup of an already marked by Keystone piece of electronics that I should be able buy directly from the manufacturer.
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Old 05-04-2020, 08:15 AM   #12
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So here is another challenge with these systems. Depending upon what type of Sat System you use, the system may not tolerate the signal being split. Most Sat systems have splitter/combiners built into the head end equipment on the arm of the dish. This is how they get to an HD signal. Dish Network for instance uses an oblong shaped dish because their dish, as with most others, is actually looking at two geosynchronous Satellites that have their position essentially stacked on top of each other in space. The broadcast footprint from each is overlapped by each satellite's antenna shape. Down here on terra firma, once the dish is aimed for maximum combined signal reception, the device at the end of the dish's arm (LNBF) takes both the signals and combines them for distribution along the RG6U cable to the receiver. It is the total combined information that gives the system enough information to generate an HD TV signal. Note on the Dish Network LNBF there are places for three RG6U cables. That means that Dish can have three receivers connected to the systeme at once. If you have more than three receivers, than you have to get into the Dish Network specific pieces of equipment to spit the signal any further. For us Canadian folks, if you have a Bell or Shaw Sat system, the concept is the same. I doubt very much that the Keystone KeyTV device takes this into account. In fact I know that it does not. Thus the reason why the Keystone KeyTV video very specifically states that you can not watch more than one Sat receiver at the same time. Truly sad that a manufacturer fails to do their home work on how people use their product and then introduce a so called "improvement" that for the most part is all Sizzle with very little Steak. Just my humble opinion of course. If you want or need to watch more than one Sat Rcvr at once, IE the game on Sunday while some else is watching the Home and Garden channel, then you are going to have to run independent RG6U cables to each of your Rcvrs directly from the LNBF of your dish's arm. Good luck.
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Old 05-14-2020, 07:29 AM   #13
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Had same problem with my 2018 cougar half ton and keystone told me that it was set up for cable not satellite and I could have it rewired. In just connected I direct line to inside my camper by drilling a hole from below my tv and went out my outdoor kitchen.
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Old 05-14-2020, 12:25 PM   #14
BruceEA
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KeyTV solutions

After doing everything suggested and more, I found that the problem is the resistance caused by the functionality of the KeyTV multiswitch module. Hear is what I have learned.

If you have a sat. dish that is "powered", you shouldn't have any problems and the KeyTV will work as advertised. If you DO NOT have a powered portable dish, you will probably have problems getting you system to work.

If you have a Direct TV system using a non-powered portable dish, you simply need to purchase a "power inserter" from direct TV. It's part number PI-29 and is very inexpensive. You simply insert this device in-line between your receiver and the dish and plug it in.

The BAD NEWS is if you are like me, and have the Dish Network Playmaker dish there is not a power inseter that will work with this dish. This is according to Dish Network and Winegard Antenna. The only option they have to offer is buying a Winegard portable dish, Model "Carry-out G3" that comes with a power supply. The problem here is that this dish costs $449.00 retail or $401.00 on Amazon. That's more than the Playmaker and the Wally Receiver combined.

The only other alternative is the install a satellite input jack on the outside of your RV and hard wire it direct to your receiver. This will give you Dish TV to the one TV that you have your Wally connected to.

I have notified Keystone of these findings since the Keystone troubleshooting guide has a page showing how to hook up your Dish Netwok Wally and Playmaker dish to the KeyTV multisource module. To me, this implies that it should work but according to Dish Network technical service, they get calls all the time about this problem. KeyTV does not work with the Playmaker portable dish.

I will post the results of my conversation with Keystone once I get a reply.
Thank you for all of your input.
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Old 06-11-2020, 01:32 PM   #15
BruceEA
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Keystone talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk.

Even though I took the time to troubleshoot my KeyTV problem, provided documentation to Keystone, they insisted the KeyTV works with a Dishnetwork Playmaker system. They said I had to take it to a dealer and have them diagnose the issue and repair it. I had already addressed the issue with my selling dealer who said they couldn't get involved because it was a "keystone Issue" (so much for honoring a warranty) so Keystone said to take it to another dealer. After waiting two and a half weeks for an appointment, I arrive on time only to be told that my appoint was an appoint to speak with a service writer and that it would be at least another 7 or 10 days before they could look at the problem. They informed me of an interesting policy. He said that if they can't get it to work and Keystone tells them it should work, Keystone won't pay them for the work they did to try to find the problem. He said they rarely cover it under warranty and I should be prepared to pay for at least one hour or service time.
I know that hard wiring direct to my Walley is the best solution but I sold a new unit that was supposed to have the latest greatest technology so they should fix it.
Well, I'm giving in, just what Keystone expects us to do. I will be wiring direct this weekend.THE BEST LESSON LEARNED FROM THIS?
NEVER BUY A KEYSTONE PRODUCT AND NEVER USE CAMPNGWORLD FOR SERVICE.
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Old 09-07-2021, 03:57 PM   #16
tanglemoose
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If you have a Direct TV system using a non-powered portable dish, you simply need to purchase a "power inserter" from direct TV. It's part number PI-29 and is very inexpensive. You simply insert this device in-line between your receiver and the dish and plug it in.
We are having same problem.. with our Direct Tv... who's part number is this? Our kq4100 dome does not sense "power" to scan, unless I wire thru kitchen window! But we do have a small.power gizmo with dome.. I will try to get puc...
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Old 01-02-2022, 07:23 PM   #17
Rv Dave
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The wife and I purchased a 2021 Cameo 3201RL. We have the same problem. We have the "King" dish satellite and Wally. No signal at all running through the KEYTV Module.
Took it to the dealer where we purchased the Trailer from, and they say it is working fine.
And NO, it is not working Still. So....... I took matters into my own hands. I pulled out the KeyTV Module, identified which color cable (Beige) goes to the TV in the front room, disconnected it from the KEYTV module, using a cable coupling, I connected the King dish cable directly to the beige cable and wouldn't you know it, works fine now. So, I hope this helps. The KEYTV Module is garbage in my humble opinion.

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Old 01-03-2022, 06:26 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rv Dave View Post
The wife and I purchased a 2021 Cameo 3201RL. We have the same problem. We have the "King" dish satellite and Wally. No signal at all running through the KEYTV Module.
Took it to the dealer where we purchased the Trailer from, and they say it is working fine.
And NO, it is not working Still. So....... I took matters into my own hands. I pulled out the KeyTV Module, identified which color cable (Beige) goes to the TV in the front room, disconnected it from the KEYTV module, using a cable coupling, I connected the King dish cable directly to the beige cable and wouldn't you know it, works fine now. So, I hope this helps. The KEYTV Module is garbage in my humble opinion.

Dave
Yes.. It is a known issue and has been ever since the KeyTV concept came to the industry... The POWER INSERTER used for portable Sat antennas is either not strong enough voltage wise or the circuitry within the KeyTV box is faulty...

DC voltage - usually around 18 volts is sent to the portable antenna servos and if the voltage is too low the servos don't operate and the antenna cant track the satellite
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Old 01-03-2022, 06:29 AM   #19
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We took ours to dealer this past summer and they fixed it... works like a charm now. Said piece of insulation was... idk... but we were delighted. Used for 5 weeks in fall. Worked great.... so... it can work with the King Dome.....
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Old 01-03-2022, 07:04 AM   #20
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Folks a very quick and simple test with the King Quest portable sat antenna if you are having issues is..
1. remove the coax that goes to the antenna dish
2. Use a multimeter and measure center pin of coax and shield
3. IF you DONT SEE 18 volts DC then either you have an issue with your inserter, coax or KeyTV module not passing 18 volts DC to the antenna PCB

Without that 18 volts DC on the coax at the Sat antenna connection the internal servos can't track anything because they can't move
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