Power Video Cable

[Jerry Emert]

How do you operate the power cable?  I don't see any switches and the cable comes out a few inches (by hand, not powered) and then seems tight.  Whats the power part and how does it work.  

[Karl Welhart]

Jerry,

The TV cable is not power operated unless someone has installed an aftermarket unit.  Originally, my coach came with a manually operated TV cable, but broke very quickly after my purchase as a new coach.  I cannot believe you have one still on your coach...

[Jerry Emert]

Jerry,

The TV cable is not power operated unless someone has installed an aftermarket unit.  Originally, my coach came with a manually operated TV cable, but broke very quickly after my purchase as a new coach.  I cannot believe you have one still on your coach...

It is labeled as in the title above leading me to believe it is power operated, maybe not!  It does not have any switches on or near it just the words "Power Video Cable" on the panel.  It does not pull out very far until I feel resistance causing me to sop pulling for fear of breaking something.  It also does not go back in very easily.  Just curious its not a big deal.  Thanks you.

[Gerald Farris]

Jerry,
The "power video cable" reel is spring powered. It operates like a spring operated window shade. You pull it out and gentle let off the pressure and it will latch in place. To retract it, you just pull out a little and let off the cable and the spring will retract the cable.

Most of these reels no longer function because of corrosion in the latching system or corrosion in the brush contacts that will not allow the video signal to clearly pass through.

Gerald

[Joel Ashley]

If you deem your unit to have failed as Gerald suggests, you might consider adding a simple hand reel as I did.  I made steel 'L' brackets and had to do some finagling to get the reel/bracket combo screwed into place, but it works like a champ.

The (not obvious in photo) 2 ft or so short lead goes from the outlet up to the coax L fitting seen in the reel hub after pulling off the length of needed cable.  The coiled coax shown is merely handy extra cable for that rare event where the amount on the reel isn't enough to reach the park source.  Note I also use push-on coax connectors;  I got tired of trying to align and thread finger-unfriendly connectors on and off when setting up and breaking camp.
-Joel

[Jerry Emert]

Thanks Gerald and Joel.  Gerald may have even explained why my video signal was a little weak on our inaugural voyage. It looks like I'll have to figure out how to take that panel apart. Any advice about how to take it apart, mostly hazards involved, will be appreciated