RV Antenna and Cable Switch

Last updated on June 21st, 2019 at 06:27 pm

March 21, 2013 by Marlan at Rv52 Leave a Comment

RV Antenna and Cable Switch

What is the RV Antenna and Cable Switch?

The RV antenna switch allows RVs to fairly seamlessly switch between the antenna and the cable TV. Being flexible on where you get your TV signal is part and parcel of being in a mobile RV.

Usually inside the RV there will be a number of places to connect your TV, switch between cable and satellite, and provide power for 12 Volt DC powered TV’s.

Where is the antenna and cable switch normally located? (5th wheel oriented)

In our Open Range 399BHS you can see our TV connections in the front closet of the RV of the front bedroom.

In this picture below it is a little messy because this closet is where we put 802.11 WiFi Router, 2 channel IPTV tuners and our Clear Channel modem.

On the left hand side, you’ll see the switch which usually switches the outlet on the left between the external TV antenna and the external cable connection. The really big circle thingy is a 12VDC automotive style outlet for powering a 12VDC powered TV.

The thing on the right is a wiring look which takes a normal signal and boosts it so all TV’s in the RV can run off of the same signal which is labeled “main” throughout the RV. I don’t know if other RV’s are wired this way so be careful about applying this paragraph to other RV’s.

The main point is that you’ll usually find the switch as described with the 12VDC power supply.

RV Antenna Cable Switch and RV Antenna amplifier

Here is a pictorial explaining more on the RV Antenna Switch in more detail

RV52 has discovered a superior way to watch TV and “cut” the cable (in our opinion)

Try Fubo TV

If you nick me with something sharp, my blood runs RED.

If I stub my toe horribly, I bleed red.

Not just red, but SCARLET.

What the H-E-double-toothpicks am I talking about?

I’m a Cornhusker grad and I love my college colors. Scarlet and cream.

But I have a BIG problem.

I RARELY RARELY get to see my beloved team on national TV of the broadcast variety.

If I had cable TV, and mind you, the “right (expensive) package”, I could watch those Huskers.

But I don’t want cable TV, because it is expensive and ties me down to a specific locale.

I did find a Big 10 TV app for the iPhone and my Kindle Fire TV. But WAIT ONE MINUTE, that won’t work either because the app makes you LOG INTO your cable TV (or phone company) and checks to see if you purchased cable. I don’t subscribe to cable TV so I could not log in.

And along comes Fubo TV.

They claimed to allow BTN (Big Ten Network) streaming if I purchased Fubo TV.

That took me all of 10 seconds to make that decision.

You see, the ONLY way for me to watch the Huskers was to find a local sports bar. Then I would feel guilty about watching their TV, so I purchased a beer or two and some Horse Doovers. Before long my tab was 20-30 bucks. If I watched every weekend which I did, the monthly bill in the fall season could easily run $100-200 for just a bar tab.

I think I spent $35/month for my Fubo TV subscription. It is higher now but it is still a fantastic deal.

So I reviewed Fubo TV. Here is my FuboTV review.

When it was new, early in the season, it would have trouble streaming the games from bigger football schools. Michigan games had trouble. Nebraska games had trouble. I got my games watched but for September it was rough.
Starting in October, I think Fubo TV got things worked out because the rest of the year I was able to watch my games without problem. Wished my team played better but I cheered them thick and thin.
I was able to get a Fubo TV app for my Kindle Fire TV and watch in my big screen. Awesome.
I was able to get a Fubo TV app for my iPhone. Awesome.
I could watch from my Macbook using Safari. Score.
Also available on Android app store, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. Super cool.
Also, I was able to suspend my monthly fee and access and I’ll start again next fall. Awesome!
Sheri was able to watch Hallmark Christmas movies (I kind of liked them too) which made her ecstatic.
Fubo TV has a really good lineup. We’ll be using them again.
No dangerous or offensive long term contracts (like some other providers)
This truly is cable tv for RVers.

Here is the basic level of Fubo TV channel lineup. I think most of these are live or simulcast with the channels you would get when you buy regular cable.

fubo TV - cable TV for RV travelers — fubo TV – cable TV for RV travelers

What do you think? Questions? Put it in the comments and I’ll answer. Be sure to “check” the box so you get email follow ups.

Try Fubo TV

RV TV Antenna Power Supply Products

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RV Air Conditioner Vent

Last updated on August 14th, 2018 at 08:42 pm

March 14, 2013 by Marlan at Rv52 Leave a Comment

Sheri and I found that by adjusting the RV Air Conditioner vents that we could help the RV get a little cooler and keep the cool air distributed better.

RV Air Conditioner Vent

The RV Air Conditioner Vent will only show up apart and separate from the RV air conditioner if your RV has air conditioning ducts built into the RV.

Jayco travel trailer air conditioner vent

If you look at the ceiling and see vents, then you have air conditioner ductwork in your RV. I can provide some really good RV buying tips to make sure the ductwork is what you want it to be.

One of the first things I can think of is to make sure that you have plenty of ducts, distributed approximately in the correct number for a given space. What I mean by that is that if you have TWO ducts in your bathroom, which is the smallest area in the RV, then only have TWO in your living space, then I would question that design. You should have 2 in the bathroom to at least 3 or more in the living space.

The next thing is that if the vents can be controlled to be closed and opened that is even better – now you can direct the cool air. However, that ONLY works if there are an abundance of vents. If there are not very many and you plug one to put more air in another room, it could actually spell trouble for the air conditioner – causing it to freeze up or work too hard. Air flow is important for the air conditioner.

Most importantly, if you will have your RV in 105 degree temperatures and are hoping for an internal 70 degree temperature, you’re going to have to make sure that the AC can maintain a 30-35 degree differential between the outside and the inside of the RV. I’m not sure the best way to do this other than to crank the AC on full blast and see what happens while you are in the dealer lot.

If the RV you are testing can maintain the differential, then chances are even if you order one it probably has properly functioning vents and AC design.

I know in our Open Range 399BHS, I think the BEST we can achieve is about a 25 degree differential. That isn’t too bad, except in the middle of the Texas summer.

Both our PUMA and our Tiny Texas Tumbleweed were non-ducted RV Air Conditioner systems.

We believe the ducts in the OR 399BHS are 1) too small in cross section area, 2) arranged in such a way that the air cannot cool the central room in the 399BHS. I think larger ductwork could have helped. I’m not criticizing, I’m just saying I think it could have been done better.

Amazon listings related to RV AC Vents:

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RV Bathroom Vent and Fan Switch

Last updated on March 3rd, 2019 at 08:33 pm

February 28, 2013 by Marlan at Rv52 Leave a Comment

RV Bathroom Vent

The RV bathroom vent is a great little thing to have for a number of reasons. Almost all RV’s have a powered RV bathroom vent, except perhaps the very smallest camping trailers.

I don’t think that the bathroom vent is remarkably different than the other roof vents. It is really just located in the RV bathroom.

So please check out the MASTER RV Vent Information Page is RV52’s best starting page for finding RV vent info.

Some great reasons for having a powered bathroom vent is when you use the fan you show courtesy to the rest of the RV occupants. After all, an RV is a very, very small space.

Just as important, I think, is the ability to vent to the outside of the RV, humid warm air caused by showering. By ridding the RV of warm humid air it keeps the RV at a much lower humidity. Whatever your reason, expect to have one.

Humidity is a serious problem with RVs.

In the winter, humidity, perhaps caused solely by human expiration, is enough to build condensation on windows. This condensation can be a breeding ground for rust. It can also be a breeding ground for bacteria. Add the humidity from showering into the mix and you really always have a moist indoors.

In the summer you might not get condensation on the windows like the winter, but having any level of humidity will make it much more difficult to “feel cool”.

So please check out the MASTER RV Vent Information Page is RV52’s best starting page for finding RV vent info.

The vent itself will have a manual method to raise and lower the vent. You would travel with it lowered of course and keep it closed for inclimate weather. But for much of your time in your RV you can keep the vent open, provided you aren’t doing any climate control like running the air or the heat.

DC power is often routed to the vent so it will run on 12V (or battery if you prefer that term) when you are boondocking.

You’ll usually find the vent’s fan motor and the switch to control the vent’s fan motor right at the vent itself. This is to save on cost, space, and wiring – something RV manufacturers are always managing carefully.

If you are a little bit short reaching the fan switch MAY be a problem. Sheri is not a tall person and she was able to reach the switch without too much trouble. If you can’t reach the switch, you could probably use a short “reacher” stick to turn it on and off. The switches themselves only require pushing on one side of the other to control the motor.

This may seem obvious, but we do live a country where there are labels that point to fire extinguishers saying “fire extinguisher” —> If you turn on the vent fan, you should have the vent OPEN.

rv bathroom vent related items:

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