Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Peter on July 26, 2025, 11:25:19 am

Title: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on July 26, 2025, 11:25:19 am
Could you use the antennae boost switch located in the front overhead cabinet as a power switch for a winegard  t 4in motion dome??  Is it not just a 12 v power source?
I am installing an in motion satellite that requires a 12 v power source. It comes with a switch but i would like to not have to drill more holes, and since i do not use the power booster for anything thought i might tap in to it. Feasible ??
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: SuperFore on July 26, 2025, 12:11:21 pm
Could you use the antennae boost switch located in the front overhead cabinet as a power switch for a winegard  t 4in motion dome??  Is it not just a 12 v power source?
I am installing an in motion satellite that requires a 12 v power source. It comes with a switch but i would like to not have to drill more holes, and since i do not use the power booster for anything thought i might tap in to it. Feasible ??
The switch itself will not work (it's a self contained amp and only coax goes from it to the roof) but there is 12 volts behind it that you could utilize for the new switch... There's probably already a penetration through your roof that serves something that is unused (cell or cb antenna?) Was your coach possibly prepped for satellite?
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on July 27, 2025, 12:35:49 pm
Yes and i currently have a king  satellite dome on the roof. This is the third one i have had(all same models) that has failed and the company says "buy a new one" or send it in to be fixed. I am in canada so cost wise that would be as expensive as a new purchase... all said and done..not very happy
So i am going the winegard route as starlink is:
More expensive
And i have personal feelings about the company

I have all the cable wiring already on the roof installed but the winegard uses a power cable instead of cable powered system and new one has a separate cable
So...ready to go except the power connection
Instead of me running around looking for the 12v power i require i thought the power booster connections might do the trick

Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: red tractor on July 27, 2025, 06:57:58 pm
You should be able to find the power wire going to the booster and connect into it. That would provide you with a constant 12 volt power source.
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: oldguy on July 28, 2025, 10:57:28 pm
There is a pile of wires under the dash that have EXT printed on them and most go to the back of the
coach and I believe a few of them go up behind the TV. They are spare wires that Foretravel put in.
 
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on August 04, 2025, 10:58:01 am
So looking to use the existing 12 volt power wires from the antennae boost switch. I tested touching the white wire to negative on voltage tester and the green wire to positive on tester. I got about 14 volts.  BUT i want to ensure these are correct and the white wire  is not a false ground. Can you confirm green is positive and white is negative ? Is this the standard colors for wiring with Foretravel?
My new wingard t4 antennae power wire has a red for positive and black for negative
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: fourdayoff on August 04, 2025, 11:12:51 am
Peter, check for continuity from white wire to metal frame of coach. Jim.
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on August 04, 2025, 11:18:37 am
Being more on the dumb side today.. how do you do that? The only other possibility for ground up there would be the metal frame going across the cabinetry but i think it is aluminum
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: fourdayoff on August 04, 2025, 11:31:37 am
Peter, I assumed you had a digital volt/ohm tester. For basic use a inexpensive one can be had from Harbor Freight etc. Use the ohm setting and one lead to the white wire and other lead to coach frame. Jim.
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on August 04, 2025, 11:57:16 am
Well my guess is i will have to dig under the front dash for a ground point and run a wire from it to the meter as my meter cables are not long enough.  Then i can check the continuity.  I dont see any other ground point by the tv
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on August 04, 2025, 02:56:14 pm
Maybe i should ask this a different way. Is green positive on wiring and white negative??
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: turbojack on August 04, 2025, 03:21:57 pm
Maybe i should ask this a different way. Is green positive on wiring and white negative??

Green is negative, ground, or chassis ground, What ever you want to call it.
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on August 04, 2025, 03:35:28 pm
So white would be power?  Funny i directly wite it to my house batteries and everything works as it should?!!!
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: rbark on August 04, 2025, 05:17:52 pm
Peter, do you have any of the coach manuals that go to the coach? There's a good electric wireing diagram in there.
Title: Re: Antennae boost switch
Post by: Peter on August 04, 2025, 06:17:01 pm
Wow....found some other positive and negative wire s over the driver seat and bingo..it works.. so the power to the antennae booster is not a confident power source... thanks to all for the tips