Will Winegard Traveler work w/ existing cables?

[Snomas]

I have a roof mounted KVH in motion sat dish and want to replace it w/ a new Winegard Traveler. MY question is will the existing prewired KVH cables/wires (and inside switch box Newmar installed) work on the traveler without adding any new ones?

[enblethen]

You need to read the manual for the traveler. It can be installed with a splitter to go to different receivers. See page 5
Traveler

[Bill_Satellite]

I think we have argued this in the past and I disagree and, of course, that was also not the question. Since the question was only related to whether he could use the existing wiring, the answer is yes he can use the same coax but needs to run a new control cable.
As to running 3 coax cables, 3 to where when there is likely already one running to the front and one running to the rear. Even if you install a Hopper/Joey setup you can install the Solo Node on the roof and use the existing coax for both. Only if you wanted to install 2 hoppers (or a Hopper and a Super Joey) would you need the 3rd cable and that connection can be made on the roof as well.

[TechWriter]

Bill.Satellite wrote:

It makes no difference whether you are Dish or DirecTV, the wiring will be exactly the same.
You will need only one coax cable running to each receiver so the coax you have now should already go where a receiver is expected to be.

Not quite. If you have DISH, I'd suggest running RG6 cable to all three of the LNB ports on the Travler (labeled "A", "B", and "C") + running the Winegard controller cable.

While you might just need one of those RG6 cables at the moment, running all three gives you more options for the future -- and it's easier to do it when you 1st install a Travler.

[Bill_Satellite]

Snomas wrote:
I have a roof mounted KVH in motion sat dish and want to replace it w/ a new Winegard Traveler. MY question is will the existing prewired KVH cables/wires (and inside switch box Newmar installed) work on the traveler without adding any new ones?

You will be able to use the existing coax cables but you will need to run the new control cable that comes with the Trav'ler. This is a six wire setup that must be used and runs to the Winegard controller inside the coach. The 48V used to power the motors plus all the signals required to operate the antenna are sent through this wiring harness and cannot be substituted with any other wiring.
It makes no difference whether you are Dish or DirecTV, the wiring will be exactly the same.
You will need only one coax cable running to each receiver so the coax you have now should already go where a receiver is expected to be.

[nemo45]

Rodz wrote:
I have read a few posts about people replacing their in motion sat with a Winegard Traveler. Curious why they're doing it.

Because the traveler picks up all three satellites and doesn't have to move when one TV changes channels. So, you can truly watch different programming on two TV's. Also, there is the moisture problem with the dome.

[YC_1]

Great answer on why to replace the dome. I sold mine on craigs list.

The coax's will work fine but as mentioned you do need to run the new control cable.

If your RV has an antenna up alarm (for the crank up), you can buy a magnetic switch and parallel the Travler so they are both alarmed.

[dougrainer]

The Coax on a Travler is just that. Just a Coax going to the sat receiver. Then there is the control cable that tells the travler to raise and lower. 2 seperate cables. You can also have more than 1 coax to control multiple receivers. The coax on a travler does NOT send any info to the travler to operate up and down and to lock on. You are always better off using the supplied control cable rather than splicing to another cable. As long as the OLD cable has the same amount of wires, then you could splice. Doug

[hsteinle]

Questions as to 'why replace dome with Winegard Traveler"--Here is WHY I did--your situation and results may be different. I was tired of my 'in motion' King Dome being effected by the slightest amount of moisture; not locking on and keeping a Direct TV signal, and not being able to get HD tv. I kept the King Dome in place so in an emergency I could use it OR if for some reason I needed to use it when we were in motion. I then had the Traveler installed on the middle front of the coach (King Dome at rear) and used an A/B switch where the cables came into the HD-DVR. A=Winegard, B=KingDome. I LOVE the Winegard as it is pretty much 'bullet-proof' and hasn't failed in the 6 years I've had it. Locks on quickly, provides EXCELLENT HD TV with minimal effort and no real maintenance involved. Just look at the surface size of the Domes vs. the surface of the Winegard and I think you'll figure out why the Winegard isn't affected by rain and gets a better signal than the Dome. In the past I had a MotoSat and I feel the Winegard is better, but that is MY opinion.

[allbrandauto]

just did mine same coax cable will work have to run control cable down threw roof easy to do

[TechWriter]

Snomas wrote:
I have a roof mounted KVH in motion sat dish and want to replace it w/ a new Winegard Traveler. MY question is will the existing prewired KVH cables/wires (and inside switch box Newmar installed) work on the traveler without adding any new ones?

Do you have DISH or DirecTV?

[William_B]

I did the same thing some time ago. You might be able to use the same coax cables, but you will have to run the control wire. We attached the new wire to the old and pulled it through and used the original coax. It is definitely worth it!

[enblethen]

Look closely at the coaxial cable. The newer dishes like to have RG-6. Some earlier dishes got away with RG-59.

[Triker33]

If you want HD with DirecTV. A Trav'ler is what you want as a Dome can't receive HD.

I would think the Trav'ler uses different wiring then the King Dome for the control box. The receiver cable can be used for both.

[Rodz]

rvten wrote:
Not sure if same wiring.
I replaced my King Dome in motion with the Traveler. Working fine.

Is the traveler better than the dome?

[rvten]

Not sure if same wiring.
I replaced my King Dome in motion with the Traveler. Working fine.