17' Series TV reception and roof lights

[Brougham]

So just bought a tv for the panda. Already had a tv antenna from previous owner. Plugged in, tuned and all great

Then I turned my roof/ceiling lights on inside the van and lost all reception. Seems the middle and rear lights (not the one near the entry door) kill the reception.

Any ideas? Cheers.

 

[bigcol]

is it like an electrical interference - static etc
or
just looses the whole reception - just switches off

 

[Brougham]

Bit of both. Turn the rear light on and bam, it all goes to black and no signal at all. Turn on the middle one and you get flickering interference to the signal. Front light has no effect.

 

[bigcol]

I think there is a screw, through the antenna cable and a power cable...............

just a guess, as I am in no way or shape an electrician.................

 

[bigcol]

@Drover @chartrock @achjimmy
any ideas??????

 

[Drover]

They are LED lights I assume ????? If the operating light on the TV and the aerial booster light are still on when it happens it is more than likely caused by cheap LED lights which are causing interference of the TV signal, it is a common problem .
Sounds like you are using an external antennae so it would be RF interference, change led's is probably the easy way. Price of lights doesn't mean anything either, my 10 for $10 from china leds are good, yet a 1 for $12 is crap.........
What sort of aerial and how is the cable run into the van ??

 

[bigcol]

@Brougham I dont have a TV or Aerial in my Van - hence the calling for reinforcements


thanks @Drover I knew one of you guys would know what to look for

 

[Brougham]

Thanks. Aerial cabling all done by Jayco with the van from point on top of cabinet next to door to outside.

Not sure what you mean by 'aerial boosting light'?

Lights are all LED lights that came with the van I believe.

Got one of those simple PVC external antennas, the ones that join up and two arms fold up.

 

[achjimmy]

My booster reception used to drop out with the water pump. Jayco said its all good I rewired the booster direct to a battery with 6mm auto and now all good.

My motto " Jayco know best, I know better "

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Sounds like power is being lost to the amplifier to me.

As @achjimmy has pointed out, if there is a voltage drop to the amp it could be enough to stop it working.

I'd be looking to find the power to the amplifier ad see if you can isolate it from the lighting circuit.

 

[Brougham]

How would I know if I have a TV signal booster?

 

[Brougham]

Damn posting at the same time!

So where would the amplifier/booster be normally?

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Normally it's integrated with the antenna socket that connects to the TV. There should be a power button/LED that comes on when it's turned on

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Mine looks like this http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=122

 

[Drover]

If you just plug your TV lead into a small plug on the wall and plug your aerial into one similar on the outside and your aerial is on a pole then you won't have a booster fitted......it is usually on a wall plate which has a socket for your TV lead, a little black button and small led light with a 12v socket (as @Bellbirdweb has posted......................................if the former describes your set up then it is RF from the led's that is causing the problem and the easiest way is to change them...............

 

[Drover]

If you are at home which way are the bars on your home aerial pointing vertical or horizontal because the bars on your van aerial should go the same way otherwise the signal may not be strong enough and be blocked by the RF from your lights...................

 

[Brougham]

Okay. I just folded them to point 45deg above horizontal. Never used it before, was just checking it worked at home before we take off in the school holidays.

Will get some more LED inserts to replace and also play with the TV antenna as well.

Definitely no booster. Just a simple plug on wall.

 

[Drover]

A handy app to have is MySwitch, it is an app from the Fed Government which will show you where the nearest TV transmitter is and if the signal is horizontal or vertical, makes set up so much easier but sadly doesn't improve the quality of the programmes.
Experiment with the arm positions of your aerial, I think I know which one you have and folks rave about them........I would also check the cable connectors as they can often be the cause of problems as they loosen or wires break........