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Rmack1's avatar
Rmack1
Explorer
Jan 14, 2016

RV roof cable problems

My TT has a Winegaurd Traveler satellite dish, with exposed wires on the roof connecting it to my SWM system. This provides HD, basically.

The last few days of my three month escape into the Eastern Sierras last year found my 'Genie' Direct TV receiver unable to communicate with my sat dish. The problem was obvious when I looked on the roof. The wires had greatly degenerated. I suspect all weather factors, you know?

I had a real fun time trying to find the hardware to fix this. I finally ordered these monster coax cable boots from some firm in Ohio or something, along with the correct fittings and everything.

It didn't hurt that I'd done this for a living for a year or so way back when.

I was able to completely replace the SWM system cables, but with much more resilient wires.

I squeezed enough silicone sealant into the boots before pushing them home that excess oozed out. Wipe it, and you have a good seal.

Totally worked! ( I thought ) My trailer TV worked with the Traveler dish just like always.
  • Look up Wiremold at Lowes. Lots of different types of plastic channels for low voltage wire and cable.
  • Our coax is in a plastic loom, and that is fastened to the roof with Dicor caulk. Then the loom is coated with EPDM rubber roof coating. expect them to be there for a lot of years. Chuck
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Some useful products

    Antenna tape... This is a self fusing "rubber" tape designed to seal coax fittings, also sold as Coax Tape

    Rescue tape.. appears to be the same stuff.

    Wrap some of this around the joint, sealing well, and a decade later you cut it off it's still shiny and bright.
  • If it makes you feel better, yes. If you used decent coax you should not have any issues for many years to come. Think of the billions of feet of coax living in the outdoors right now. I do know how hot these roofs can get so painting them white would definitely keep them cooler.
  • RJsfishin wrote:
    I covered all my cables w/ plain ole wire loom shield.
    But painting them will surely extend the life too.

    The sun, especially in the SW, will destroy that loom plastic in no time.
  • I covered all my cables w/ plain ole wire loom shield.
    But painting them will surely extend the life too.
  • I covered my Travler cables with Eternabond tape.


    I did the same with my solar panel cables
  • I have a quick question for the experts; would it help to shield the exposed black coax cables on my roof if I spray painted them white?

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