Sprinter TV Antenna Upgrade

[X-Jaywalker]

Hi All...We have a 2014 Sprinter 5er, and while we dont watch a lot of TV while camping, it would be nice to have some entertainment options. May just resort to a DVD LOL (old school)

We like dry camping and/or state campgrounds which do not offer cable, obviously. . And streaming is just to power and data hungry.

So I started messing around with the TV in the living room area. Its an old flat screen with an off brand name and is connected to a wall plate that does NOT have a 12V power booster. I have never had a RV without one. The antenna is the standard Wingman, crank up. And I also understand if we are too far away from a metro area it won't work regardless.

So what would be the recommendation here? Should I keep it simple and just replace what is there or upgrade to a Wingard Coax Wall plate with the 12V power boost? Or is there a better option? TIA!!!

[chuckster57]

Your positive it doesn’t have a booster plate somewhere?

[JRTJH]

If the antenna is a Winegard Wingman crankup, there's a 12 volt booster switchplate somewhere in the trailer. My guess would be in the bedroom behind the TV location or in a cupboard in the bedroom (if you're sure it's not behind the main TV).....

Are you the "original owner" ??? Is it possible that a previous owner used "only cable" or "only satellite" and removed the booster switchplate to replace it with a "non Winegard switchplate" ???

I'd make a guess that if you have a "hidden switchplate in the OFF position" and install a second "upgraded switchplate" it would not provide power to the booster amplifier in the antenna head if the "one that you haven't found" remains in the OFF position. In other words, adding another switch to the circuit won't turn on the "missing switch"....

[X-Jaywalker]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Your positive it doesn’t have a booster plate somewhere?

My bad...Its in the bedroom. LOL...New to this 5th wheel. No TV in the bedroom and never thought to even look.

[X-Jaywalker]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

If the antenna is a Winegard Wingman crankup, there's a 12 volt booster switchplate somewhere in the trailer. My guess would be in the bedroom behind the TV location or in a cupboard in the bedroom (if you're sure it's not behind the main TV).....

Are you the "original owner" ??? Is it possible that a previous owner used "only cable" or "only satellite" and removed the booster switchplate to replace it with a "non Winegard switchplate" ???

I'd make a guess that if you have a "hidden switchplate in the OFF position" and install a second "upgraded switchplate" it would not provide power to the booster amplifier in the antenna head if the "one that you haven't found" remains in the OFF position. In other words, adding another switch to the circuit won't turn on the "missing switch"....

Wow! I feel like a newbie. The 12V booster was in the bedroom (mounted on the ceiling). As previously stated we are new to this 5th wheel (we are the 2nd owners) and it is so dark back there and we have never had a TV in that location....that I didn't even think to look. LOL Learn something new everyday. Thank you

[chuckster57]

So I take it all’s good? Glad we were able to help.

[JRTJH]

Glad you found it and things are working again.... Trust me when I say that you're not even close to being the first (or even the 1000th) person to miss that little green light, tucked away in some obscure place where you'd never think to look LOL