Update/Edit: It seems some people were confused by my original post, and I have some new discoveries.Looking into getting Dish Network's Tailgater and VIP 211K receiver. Or anything, really.The receiver draws around 22 watts when off, in standby mode. That is too much daily power consumption for dry camping.Apparently unplugging and plugging the receiver daily is not recommended, as it is not designed for that. Plus, it takes a while to boot up from cold.So, what are my options? Is it just not really feasible to have satellite TV while dry camping? Seems someone has found a way to work around this.Thanks in advance. Original post is below, but saved just because there are responses to it, but everything is covered above:Me wrote:HI everyone, and thanks for all of the previous help.I am looking into getting a Tailgater and VIP 211K from Dish.From what I am reading (I could be wrong) the 211K reciever will draw somewhere around 22 watts when off, which will drain about 2 amps an hour from my battery (mostly dry camping).If this is true, then I assume I will need to unplug it every time it is not in use.I am also reading that in doing this, it will take about 10 minutes for the tailgater to re-find satellites, box to boot up, etc...Is this true? If so, is there another, less PITA avenue I could take? What if I just went with a standard dish on a tripod? I wonder how long it would take to boot everything back up.Also, is Direct TV a better option in general, being that it only has to pick up one, vs three satellites?Thank you for any and all help in advance.

We are full time and use Tailgater flawlessly for last two years. It takes about 15 minutes to fully find satellites and download Chanel guide, but only if you unplug from power. As far as power draw, you need 110v to operate box and TV, either from campground, generator, or inverter. If on inverter, then that's a battery drain that depends on how many batteries and battery condition.

I have a standard dish on a tripod....usually takes about 10-20 min to set up and aim.....as long as I know the settings.....elevation, skew etc. Your TV and receiver also will take power from your batteries/inverter.

You may not be able to disconnect the unit from power whether it is from shore power or inverter. My Direct TV Winegard Carryout has to change satellites so it will run the motor to that bird. The Carryout power is 12 volts, but I need 120 volts AC for the receiver which I get using an inverter which also runs TV.

enblethen wrote:You may not be able to disconnect the unit from power whether it is from shore power or inverter. My Direct TV Winegard Carryout has to change satellites so it will run the motor to that bird. The Carryout power is 12 volts, but I need 120 volts AC for the receiver which I get using an inverter which also runs TV.What do you mean I may not be able to disconnect from power? I assume that I can disconnect it when not in use, then just let it boot back up, re-find satellite, etc...You're saying that I can't do that?

MTPockets1 wrote:We are full time and use Tailgater flawlessly for last two years. It takes about 15 minutes to fully find satellites and download Chanel guide, but only if you unplug from power. As far as power draw, you need 110v to operate box and TV, either from campground, generator, or inverter. If on inverter, then that's a battery drain that depends on how many batteries and battery condition.Thanks for the reply. It's not so much about the amount of batteries, though. I could buy extra batteries and have 480+ AH, but that doesn't change the fact that I am going to have to crank up the genset and pay to put everyone of those amps back in, regardless of how many batteries I have. If the box was not unplugged, it would burn about 48 amps a day, just on standby, not even turned on, which would probably cost somewhere around $60 a month in fuel just to run the receiver.Which of course is out of the question and just plain absurd.Edit: Do you know if it's true, that if you turn power off, the satellite must re acquire satellites?

Dry camping with satellite TV possible? | Good Sam Community

bfast54
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
No matter which way you go if you turn the power off to the receiver then it will have to reboot each time
I could be wrong.......... but with the tailgater you have to use a special receiver just the one that works with it.....this is how it was,and still may be.

I have a "view cube " which is an older type of satellite (actuall the same thing). and it will work with any receiver so unless they've changed it the tailgater only works with one type receiver which means you can only use it with dish

I can use my satellite my view cube with any of the suppliers ie dish or direct so just something to think about and check
Guysakar
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
MTPockets1 wrote:
We are full time and use Tailgater flawlessly for last two years. It takes about 15 minutes to fully find satellites and download Chanel guide, but only if you unplug from power. As far as power draw, you need 110v to operate box and TV, either from campground, generator, or inverter. If on inverter, then that's a battery drain that depends on how many batteries and battery condition.

Thanks for the reply. It's not so much about the amount of batteries, though. I could buy extra batteries and have 480+ AH, but that doesn't change the fact that I am going to have to crank up the genset and pay to put everyone of those amps back in, regardless of how many batteries I have.

If the box was not unplugged, it would burn about 48 amps a day, just on standby, not even turned on, which would probably cost somewhere around $60 a month in fuel just to run the receiver.

Which of course is out of the question and just plain absurd.

Edit: Do you know if it's true, that if you turn power off, the satellite must re acquire satellites?
Guysakar
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
enblethen wrote:
You may not be able to disconnect the unit from power whether it is from shore power or inverter.
My Direct TV Winegard Carryout has to change satellites so it will run the motor to that bird. The Carryout power is 12 volts, but I need 120 volts AC for the receiver which I get using an inverter which also runs TV.

What do you mean I may not be able to disconnect from power? I assume that I can disconnect it when not in use, then just let it boot back up, re-find satellite, etc...

You're saying that I can't do that?
enblethen
Nomad
Aug 09, 2014
You may not be able to disconnect the unit from power whether it is from shore power or inverter.
My Direct TV Winegard Carryout has to change satellites so it will run the motor to that bird. The Carryout power is 12 volts, but I need 120 volts AC for the receiver which I get using an inverter which also runs TV.
poncho62
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
I have a standard dish on a tripod....usually takes about 10-20 min to set up and aim.....as long as I know the settings.....elevation, skew etc. Your TV and receiver also will take power from your batteries/inverter.
MTPockets1
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
We are full time and use Tailgater flawlessly for last two years. It takes about 15 minutes to fully find satellites and download Chanel guide, but only if you unplug from power. As far as power draw, you need 110v to operate box and TV, either from campground, generator, or inverter. If on inverter, then that's a battery drain that depends on how many batteries and battery condition.

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