Show off your Mods

[calewjohnson]

Originally Posted by ATCguy

Pirate...

Don't wanna hijack the thread, but am interested in your Direct TV setup.

Now that I'm fulltime in my RV, I've been thinking of getting an antenna installed on my rig (the Trav'ler by Winegard)... but have no idea of what I need for receivers. I've got 4 TVs in the rig, and would like them all to be able to receive the signal... HD service all around.

By what I can tell, I need a Genie receiver, and 3 of the mini-Genies... but again, not sure. I've never had statellite service before.

So again, not to hijack this thread, but if you get time... could you send me the details of your setup in a private message... or maybe even just start a new thread on that?

Thanks...

I cannot speak to the Winegard install, but I do have DirecTV, with the Genie, and 4 mini Genies.

I initially tried to get them to let me do the install, in the end, I was glad I didn't. I had an older Genie, but it was bulky and took up a lot of room behind the TV. The tech labeled mine as broken when he arrived and gave me the newer, sleeker model. You need a Wireless Bridge to go with it, which acts as a router for all the mini Genies.

I have each Genie velcroed to the back of their respective TV and all works like a champ.

As far as dishes, we have HD TV, so we have the oval dish with three LNBs, where the standard dish is round with one LNB. I did not want to spend the cash for a roof top HD capable antennae, we spend a lot of time in wooded areas, so my home dish, on a tripod and a lot of cable has done us well. It takes about 15 minutes from flash to bang to get a TV picture...

Cale

[Pirate]

Tom, oh heck...I'll just post it here. Not that much and others may be interested.

Did a very short web search on the Trav'ler antenna. If its an HD antenna and is self aligning and self storing...that's what I would get. That or the Slimline HD that we had mounted a time of purchase.

All the DirecTV components I mention can be purchased at good prices from SolidSignal.com When you hook them up, you'll need to register them with DirecTV and then the work. Voila!!

You will need an Genie HD DVR.

You will need a DirecTV "wireless video bridge" This is where the satellite coax connects, and from there goes to the HD DVR.

The HD DVR also provides the HDMI out to the Living Area TV.

Then purchase as many "wireless mini-Genie" devices as you like. They're $6 a month on your account. So I bought two. One for the bedroom and one that can be moved from the Garage TV to the Outside TV.

You can purchase extra power supplies for all of these...so I bought an extra and have it permanently mounted for the Outside TV. Thus all I have to do is unplug the power and HDMI from the Garage and move the mini-Genie outside.

Buy an RF radio frequency remote for each TV above the first...the HD DVR will come with one, but make sure its an RF model.

Then you will be able to configure a remote to work with each TV so it controls the mini-Genie and the TV.

With the HD DVR you can record programs that you want, and you can use the FF to whiz through the commercials. Yeah, we don't watch anything "live" on TV anymore...just hate all the commercials!!

The self aligning dish is the only way to go. It raises up, finds the three satellites for HD, and you're in business. Press the button on the dish controller and it folds the dish down and stores it for travel.

Let's see...all the TVs in the rig are connected by coax. I bought all the hardware for HDMI over coax...but it didn't work. All the other TV pics were pink and lime green.

Once you have the mini-Genie devices connected via the wireless bridge...you don't have to do that again. Just power them up and they remember the configuration.

You will need a 36" HDMI cable for the other three TVs. Solid Signal carries them at good prices.

If you like you can set up all the hardware, call DirecTV and they'll send an installer out who will configure everything at no cost.

Got more questions...ask away. If I need to post pics. I can do that!!!

Pirate

[ATCguy]

Cale & Pirate...

Thanks for the replies. Gives me something to work from now anyway.

I'd probably go Cale's route, and have a pro do the install... as I'm not very good with that kind of thing. I'm far more mechanically inclined than electrical.

One other question though... where do you have your main receiver / DVR located? In the Voltage 3200, there's really no room in my little cabinet under the TV to put it. I was thinking it might be able to sit above my kitchen cabinets. (See pic below). Not sure that'll work, but there's really no other place it could go.

Thanks again...

[eightydo]

Tom; I put mine on the shelf above your door clock.

I take it down when I am towing.

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by ATCguy

Cale & Pirate...

Thanks for the replies. Gives me something to work from now anyway.

I'd probably go Cale's route, and have a pro do the install... as I'm not very good with that kind of thing. I'm far more mechanically inclined than electrical.

One other question though... where do you have your main receiver / DVR located? In the Voltage 3200, there's really no room in my little cabinet under the TV to put it. I was thinking it might be able to sit above my kitchen cabinets. (See pic below). Not sure that'll work, but there's really no other place it could go.

Thanks again...

With the Genie system you can configure the remotes to work on RF signal so you can actually mount the receivers out of sight. I mounted ours on wall behind the TV. I used plastics plumbing straps and drywall mounting screws. Would post pics but unit is in the shop.

[Voltage Traveler]

I was tired of having to deal with the water filter so I decided to make an aluminum bracket and mount it behind the convenience center.

[Voltage Traveler]

It's the little things in life! Added these on both doors, what a difference it makes for something so simple.

[Voltage Traveler]

Needed a desk, picked up table top from Ikea and order some folding mounts so it's flush to the wall during travel giving more room for the toys.

[Voltage Traveler]

So we camp year round and in areas near and below zero. After several trips I realized it would be cheaper to use the free electricity rather than burning through tanks of propane that cost me. So I added a electric fireplace in the bedroom. I raised the TV mount and and the shelf below the TV to make room. I also removed the lower doors and moved the shelf up providing support for the fireplace. This left me with an open shelf below the fireplace.

Sorry for the picture quality.

[Voltage Traveler]

So I had originally added a desk in the garage but since we have the 3905 with 14' of space the family decided this became favorite room to hangout. Using the table and voltage chairs are great for everything in the space expect watching TV. The problem being the TV is mounted on the bunk wall extremely high. Therefore my desk mod is now being changed into an entertainment system with a fireplace to help warm the space and create a nice ambiance. It's not finished yet but I pulled the old wall cabinet off that held the Kenwood and subwoofer. I still need to relocate a few switch controls and stain the cabinet, but it's a work in progress.

[Voltage Traveler]

Dogs where really good at opening the screen doors but sucked at shutting them. Therefore, they need their own door to the rear deck!

[RVNevada]

Added a work station in my 3895, took out the 2 seats next to the Kitchen

[mjcarte]

Installed this magnetic board on the wall of the dinning-room slide-out using heavy duty Command Strips:

[skarlin1976]

I am a Directv employee. If anyone is looking for a great deal on TV here it is. Get Directv and get Free NFL Sunday Ticket for the 2015 season and 3 months free HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Stars. Plus you get a $100 Visa gift card if you sign up with me!! Don't forget promo code 463048.DIRECTV - Best Offer Ever | 1-800-657-9921 | Call Now!

[Wuffo]

Originally Posted by VoltageGuy

I just finished a mod on the Trailair hitchbox... just added two more shocks so there's three of them now. Hoping this smooths the ride a little more. Will see. Pics and writeup at this link.

Familiar with "Velvet Ride Schackles" -- now Sulastic. Sulastic ? How could these work in conjunction with the Hitch Box shock? The rubber shackle takes up the hardness of the chassis to leaf spring attachment, to give a softer transition into the heavy "shocking impact" which causes the springs to absorb the impact.
Perhaps used both on the tow vehicle and the trailer?
and, how would you really know? Sulastic has a video on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNqTNsQwWd4

Disclosure: Wuffo has no financial connection to sulastic.com

[VCToyhauler]

Added a heavy duty 2 bank battery switch, and added shelf to support 4 batteries total, with 3 coach / 1 generator reserve, with charge balancer.

Added 4x 100 watt solar with Xantrex 35 amp charge controller, and 2000 watt pure sine inverter.


The front view shows the Xantrex mounted above the generator compartment. it does not look like it, but there is about a foot of space open above the inverter. There are also fans and a temperature monitor.


I will need to remember to post a picture of the Xantrex monitor inside the coach that keeps an eye on the charge/discharge rates and remaining amphours.

[xtanker]

Added folding computer table to garage .. plus works as night table when we have visitors.

[Kurt 3805 V-Series]

Sounds like you know your unit VERY WELL, can you tell me were the factory installed the 120-12V converter? I have a 2015 V-Series 3805, thanks.

[xtanker]

Kurt .. I have a v3200 so I'm not sure about yours .. mine is located in the pass through storage. I have to remove the false wall where the Red Devil vacuum is located and it's in behind the wall. Dutchman does not make it easy !! Hope this helps in some way ..

[bigcntry13]

I have a V3605 and mine is in same location as Xtanker.