I have my TV fixed so it can run it off the cigarette lighter. Unfortunately, I can't receive any channels unless the MH is plugged in. With the unit unplugged, the booster light is on and the battery is showing 4 out of five bars. Nothing will come in unless the MH is plugged in. We are in the midst of a power outage expected to last several days, so I am trying to conserve fuel for the generator.Any ideas?

In what way is your TV fixed to run off the cigarette lighter? Has your antenna worked on battery power previously and just isn't working now?

Sounds like low battery voltage. Need to measure with a meter regardless of the indicator lights.

It sounds like the battery/batteries is/are dead. When plugged in your converter or inverter/charger is supplying enough power to the battery for the battery to power the antenna but when not plugged in there is nothing to add power to the battery and the battery voltage is too low to run things.

I’m showing 3 of 4 bars after it has been unplugged a while. Runs tv fine.

It has worked on battery power before.

Antenna will not work unless MH plugged in | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

jspringator
Explorer
Jul 21, 2018
After running
The motor for 20 minutes it suddenly came on. Definitely battery related. Thanks.
jspringator
Explorer
Jul 21, 2018
I probably have a dead cell or 2 in the old golf cart batteries. I did get it to work after running the generator for a while. Doesn’t work when the motor is running.
YC_1
Nomad
Jul 21, 2018
Those feel good bars mean little. You need to put a voltmeter on the batteries. All of them.

When plugged in I bet you get full bars because the charger will take the voltage to a proper level.

Without a voltmeter you are just guessing.
LadyRVer
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2018
Does the cig lighter have a fuse? We used a cig lighter for a Brake Buddy hookup and the power for it blew the fuse several times. We ended up having it wired directly to the battery... but the fuse was the problem for the c/l.
akrv
Explorer
Jul 21, 2018
Is the cigarette lighter off the Auto battery and amp off the house battery?
RoyB
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2018
This probably has nothing to do with the the problem but are you sure you cigarette lighter socket stays HOT all the time my goes off after a few minutes after I turn the keys off in my truck... The only always ON 12V plug I had was inside my glove box...

Roy Ken
jspringator
Explorer
Jul 21, 2018
I did have a led on. When I get back I’ll check it.
Lynnmor
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2018
Turn off any and all LED lighting and try again.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 21, 2018
Seems impossible....
Check battery voltage at the antenna power supply (at the red lite)
If low / no power there, hot wire 12v to it.
jspringator
Explorer
Jul 21, 2018
It has worked on battery power before.

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Antenna will not work unless MH plugged in

14 Replies

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