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Topic: Winegard repair in Tucson (Read 399 times) previous topic - next topic

Winegard repair in Tucson

Been having an issue with my DTV winegard traveler.

It was moving a lot in the wind. Consensus by the first sat specialist based in Quartzite was that the turret was toast and a new one would be near $3k installed with travel charges from Phoenix/Yuma.

Decided to call another guy based in tucson (desertsat.com) He said that he can rebuild them. He even rewinds the motors and has a source for new IC chips.

He came to our coach today and found that the gear that is bolted to the elevation axle had become loose. And a simple hex wrench had it snug in no time.
He also found another common issue. The rounding of the holes where the LNB arm pivots which makes it wobble a bit. So he worked the metal with a hammer & dolly and the holes were once again round.

He put everything back together. And boom. It works like new and doesn't wobble any more.

He said that even though he is a winegard dealer. He doesn't like the fact that winegard 'always' says that the system can't be repaired and a new one is required.

Total fee for the fix was $150.

RESULT!!!!👍

I can't recommend Desert Satellite Systems highly enough. 
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Winegard repair in Tucson

Reply #1 –
Quote from: bigdog –
Been having an issue with my DTV winegard traveler.

It was moving a lot in the wind. Consensus by the first sat specialist based in Quartzite was that the turret was toast and a new one would be near $3k installed with travel charges from Phoenix/Yuma.

Decided to call another guy based in tucson (desertsat.com) He said that he can rebuild them. He even rewinds the motors and has a source for new IC chips.

He came to our coach today and found that the gear that is bolted to the elevation axle had become loose. And a simple hex wrench had it snug in no time.
He also found another common issue. The rounding of the holes where the LNB arm pivots which makes it wobble a bit. So he worked the metal with a hammer & dolly and the holes were once again round.

He put everything back together. And boom. It works like new and doesn't wobble any more.

He said that even though he is a winegard dealer. He doesn't like the fact that winegard 'always' says that the system can't be repaired and a new one is required.

Total fee for the fix was $150.

RESULT!!!!👍

I can't recommend Desert Satellite Systems highly enough. 


Good for you Jerry!  We had an issue with our Winegard Traveler dish as well a couple of years ago.  Called and they said it was toast and we needed a new one.  Cost was $2200 and I installed myself!  Was not a happy camper and if I had known how good Star Link was, I would have gone that route and left the new dish off the expensive menu!  Congrats on your find!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Winegard repair in Tucson

Reply #2 –
Based on what a new one costs, it might be way cheaper to send the unit to Desert Satellite Systems, have him fix it and send it back. He sounds like a real craftsman like we use to have instead of part changers..

Desert Satellite Systems
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Winegard repair in Tucson

Reply #3 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Based on what a new one costs, it might be way cheaper to send the unit to Desert Satellite Systems, have him fix it and send it back. He sounds like a real craftsman like we use to have instead of part changers..

Desert Satellite Systems
Yep! He is right out of a Mike Rowe show. Saw a need and learned how to fill it.

He doesn't accept customer shipments nor ship out for one reason. The shipping is not only expensive but the overly busy shippers treat your big heavy package like the Samsonite Gorilla. He said he has had enough broken gears, he gave up dealing with UPS & FedEx.

The units are shipped from winegard strapped down on pallets. Which limits the abuse potential. A very robust crate on a pallet is the only way these should be shipped. And most customers wouldn't do or know how to do that with an LTL shipper.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Winegard repair in Tucson

Reply #4 –
I've found the " elev motor fail" issue to be rust on the elevation sector gear deep in the turret. I took it apart used a wire wheel on a drill to clean the only rusty part on the whole system and grease it up. Reset the control box and problem solved. You can't see the rusted sector gear till you pull the drive motors completely out, and than it's apparent what the problem is. It's one of the very few parts that aren't aluminum that can rust.
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