BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Teresa Owen on November 03, 2015, 02:31:37 PM
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We have had our MH (2004 Beaver Monterey) for over a year and have not experienced this problem before. After relocating to a new destination we were getting set up and realize we don't have any power to the main TV. We have perfect TV in the bedroom. It was suggested that maybe the relay switch that overrides the TV when the coach has been started has gone bad. It is a Sharp TV & original equipment for this coach but it has worked perfectly prior to this incident.
Has anyone experienced this problem and where in the world is this relay switch located? Is it behind the TV, under the Dash? How difficult is this to repair? We did look to see if possibly a fuse had blown but that wasn't the case.
We can't get to the back of the TV easily do to the woodwork and even though a vent for duct work is behind the TV there doesn't seem to be access through that opening.
Any suggestions, answers or comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help!
Mike & Teresa Owen
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Probably the ign inter-lock not allowing power to the TV, try turning the ign switch off and on a couple of times. Also you can try completely shutting down the coach. Disconnect from shore power and turn all the battery switches off and back on and reconnect to shore power, its worth a try.
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Mike,
The ignition interlock that Lee described is probably the culprit. It usually controls only one of the outlets in the duplex plug receptacle so if you can locate the outlet, you should be able to move the TV plug to another outlet and be good to go. The outlet might be located in the cabinet that houses the stereo system, to the right of the TV, rather than behind the TV. If you see an AC cord coming into that cabinet from the TV cabinet, it's probably the one you are looking for.
If the outlet is in the TV cabinet and you can't see it through the vent, an inspection type mirror may be helpful, or you may be able to feel it. If all else fails, you may have to remove the front fascia and tilt the TV out to find it.
Steve
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These things can get complex, and vary from coach to coach. I can only relate my experiences with ours.
You said you checked fuses, Teresa; our '06 Monterey uses circuit breakers in a cabinet in the bathroom over the toilet. The audio/video components, including the TV, are on the same circuit as the outlets at the dinette streetside. If something at the dinette area blew the breaker, the TV went too. So two of my questions would be if the dinette outlets have power, and is the TV the only thing out in the audio-video dept.
As to the ignition interlock, aka "ignition relay", I discovered that apparently the ice maker on our fridge plugs into an outlet box that's on the same dinette/audio/video circuit. That ice maker outlet box (behind and to the right of the fridge outside access panel alongside the fridge power outlet box) serves as a junction box of sorts, and I noticed 12 volt wiring emanating from it. I believe that is from the ignition interlock that may be mounted inside the box. It would cut out the 3 other outlets, including all A/V components and dinette, mounted downstream along the circuit from that box.
There's no guarantee yours is set up the same, especially if your fridge isn't a model with an icemaker, or that the interlock is even the problem. Just at least shut off breakers or all AC power before messing inside any outlets of course.
My schematic shows the icemaker, dinette, and A/V outlets are downstream of a main junction box supposedly under the fridge. If you have no icemaker, the interlock could be in that under-fridge box or one of the dinette ones. But as Steve alludes, one would expect to find it on any coach in the A/V front cap overhead snake pit.
To eliminate the TV itself as faulty, run an extension cord from a known good 110v outlet to the overhead, locate the TV plug either in what is probably a white plastic Belkin powerstrip or plugged directly into a regular outlet on a compartment sidewall, and plug the TV into the extension cord to see if it works. Those power strips have been known to go belly up also, or something may have leaned against its switch, turning it to the off position while traveling.
Our front TV has a small louvered vent behind it, but there is also an upholstery strip (into which the vent is mounted) at the bottom on the windshield side that's held up by about 4 screws, each hidden behind upholstery button caps. The caps just pry off, exposing the screw heads. Removing the 6" X 40" strip exposes enough of the television's back that it can be dismounted from its rack or A/V cabling refitted.
Hope some of this is helpful.
Joel
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Thank everyone for your responses. We have detremined that it is indeed the TV. Plugging it ito other outlets gets nothing. Hubby tested the plug behind the TV and it tested fine.
Now we need to determine where to get a TV & also how to mount it. Also should we up date the satellite dish on the coach to an HD version? Right now all I see are $$$$$! 😨 if anyone has pictures and suggestions please pass along. I am going to search the prior posts to see what has been suggested.
Thanks again!
Teresa
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Although a Sony fan, for the coach and pocketbook I'd suggest a 32-40" Samsung, Teresa. Woodwork may be necessary, but that's part of life with these rigs; around Bend are several great Beaver woodworkers if you can get there. At least you'll be able to toss the converter box, and a SmartTV will be a big improvement, one I'd go for myself now except for our current upgrade costs. TVs that size can be found at good prices. I'm not sure I'd buy another Sharp. Can't suggest re. the dish... we don't use satellite and our factory Kingdome - we watch too much TV as it is just with an antenna.
Sure glad you don't have to go hunting for that relay!
Joel
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I agree with Joel re Sony. I've had very good luck with Samsung. Visio is also good and a bit less $. I'd hold off on an HD sat dish until I got the new set installed. Then you can decide if the perceived picture quality improvement is worth the $2-$2.5k cost of an installed HD dish.
Steve
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Thanks everyone for your help!
Teresa
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Teresa,
My talent is television upgrades and I can make it look like Beaver installed it from the factory if Tucson Az is close to you.
Regards, Fred
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Thanks Fred,
We are stumbling with should we see if the current TV can be repaired or do they even do that anymore? Do we need to be concerned with the Aladdin System connecting through TV? We don't view it through the TV but previous owner did. Can we get by with less electronics in the cabinet if we buy a new tv? Do we need to look at certain RV compatible TV's or will any brand work?
Did you work for Beaver during your career? Do you have pictures of your wood work?
We are not in Tucson but will be passing through in the next few days to 2 weeks
Thanks,
Teresa
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I can attest to Fred's work.
Here are before and after pics. The work was good enough that the folks at BCS were so impressed that they pics.
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Hi Teresa,
I first started working on Beaver coaches when they became popular in the early '90s . There was nothing out there with such quality and craftsmanship.
To answer your question concerning the alladin, there is no problem connecting it to the new Samsung. It uses the "video input" to display the alladin screen. You will have to change the input on the tv to "video" from HDMI or TV to see it.
Thanks to Dick for his kind words. Enclosed are some pix of an 02 thunder and Dick and Pat's 02 Marquis.
Regards, Fred
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We changed to a Samsung flat screen in our Monterey and didn't have to do any modifications to the cabinetry. I will be at the coach today, and will take a picture. We accessed everything through the little cubby hole in the back of the TV, as Joel described. I'm 6-3 and 225 lbs. It was a lot of effort to sit on the dash board and work with the back of the cabinet. The biggest problems were getting my hands (sometimes I needed 2) inside that little hole, and then being able to use them. I ended up enlarging the hole with a sawsall. When its put back together, the hole is not visible, so it didn't hurt the appearance. I guess I should have said, no modifications to the front of the cabinet.
Good luck.
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In general if you go 32 inch diagonal screen size or above you will see a marked difference with HD. We prefer HD and have incorporated it on a both a 32 inch in our last coach and a 40 inch in this one. Our plan is to go to a 48 to 50 inch this year in the coach and are glad that the HD upgrade in satellite was made. If you watch any sports it will be appreciated, you can see the ball again :-) Locals are all HD now so that is also a plus.
Later Ed
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In general if you go 32 inch diagonal screen size or above you will see a marked difference with HD. We prefer HD and have incorporated it on a both a 32 inch in our last coach and a 40 inch in this one. Our plan is to go to a 48 to 50 inch this year in the coach and are glad that the HD upgrade in satellite was made. If you watch any sports it will be appreciated, you can see the ball again :-) Locals are all HD now so that is also a plus.
Later Ed
I wouldn't think of installing anything less than HD, I put a 42" in the PT and have now figured out how to go even bigger.
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Lee,
A man after my own heart... My next TV will be a 4K high definition TV. They have built in upscaling from standard HD broadcasting into the set. One issue that I have run across using my 722 receiver and Dish network is that the receivers are set up and default to lower line counts (resolution) like 480 or 720p. They do that in case the TV will not handle higher resolution formats and provide a picture. You need to go to the receiver menu and up the resolution to 1080 to get a high definition picture.
I have been surprised visiting friends and family and seen some of the sets running lower resolution formats and I have changed the settings for them. They have been watching les then HD and did not know how good it could be until I changed the picture format. Check your Dish receivers if you are using Dish network and verify that the picture format that you have selected is 1080. Hope this helps.
Later Ed
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Stan, I'll look forward to your pix.
Our factory 32" Sharp has the side speakers, and a newer TV without that means a 40" could go in the hole side to side. But it's 19" top to bottom and even thin bezeled new 40 inchers are about 21" in that dimension, doggone it. I'm just very reluctant to lose even 2" more of that great one-piece windshield view, so am hesitant to let BCS or anyone else (even Fred 😉 ) modify the cabinet case. I may have to settle for another 32" and fill the sides with cherry or cherry-stained pine (yeah, it works, done it once already) myself.
My wife, Lee, still doesn't see the problem, but the Sharp is only 60 Hz and 720p, and needs a converter box so I juggle multiple remotes that somehow end up in different locales across the coach. When someone's face on TV moves much, the diodes can't keep up, the image lags, and it's like watching people in a fishbowl at low resolution.
We looked at 40" Samsungs and Visios at Fred Meyer the other day. They were both Smart TV's, were similarly priced and were 1080p, but the Visio had 120 where the Samsung was 60 Hz, which I didn't expect in any 40" or up TV these days. With my F.M. Retiree discount, the sale price, plus a senior's day discount, I could have had either for around $280. My ongoing research keeps me wanting a 55-60" 4K HDR (high dynamic range) Sony for home, but not being full-timers we can't see putting a thousand or more into this application when a 1080p, 120Hz Samsung, Visio, or LG will do just fine.
Now, about finding a 32" with more than 720p and 60Hz... ???
Joel
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Joel,
The PT had a first gen Aquos with the side speakers, what a pita to try and get to work never could get it correct so out it went I went with a LG as they are a little bit shorter than the others. There is a 3"-4" wood top piece that has the center speaker and it covers the controller for the lift system. If I want to go larger I will move the controller into the front overhead space and mount the center speaker in the ceiling just above the TV. I probably won't do it as the LG is large enough and is smart HD.
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Thanks everyone for the pictures of Fred's work and TV suggestions. We have an appointment to have current TV looked at to see if it can be saved.
We are trying to decide if this coach is large enough for us to keep & put a few bucks into complete TV & satellite upgrade.
Fred we will contact you if we indeed need to make a TV / cabinet change.
Everyone has been fantastic with information, guidance & support!
Thanks again,
Teresa & Mike
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Fred,
Very nice install on Dick's coach. I think you probably built in the frame cover and side moldings for his window shade also. I know how much time these projects take having done several similar modifications over the years. We are lucky to have a capable woodworker on our forum who is willing to do this kind of work for us. It is labor intensive and you sometimes need to be a contortionist to get into the required positions to do the work. I believe this is how Yoga started in the U.S., working on Beaver cabinetry modification :-)
I was wondering if your finish technique might be shared or if that is a trade secret. More specifically, do you use a grain sealer, if so, what is it. For color, do you use any stain on the cherry or age the surface in the sun or neither and just let the wood age in place after the install. I let it age in place but will give it a couple hours in the sun before finish work after final sanding. I sand to 220 to 320 level, use gloss polyurethane with a foam brush, sand 320 or so between coats, sometimes use a red scotchbrite pad between coats if it is very smooth, then tack rag, probably three coats. This technique is close but not perfect. Do you spray or brush and what finish do you like to use?
I have several cracks in the Mappa Burl panels in my ceiling as most coaches do from this era. Have you ever come up with a fix for those other than replacing? I had seen some Cherry and Holly plywood, like the teak and holly sole flooring used in sailboats. I was considering that for some of my cracked ceiling panel replacements. Have you seen that kind of panel used as a ceiling center panel and how did it look? Some photos here.. seems like maybe a nice treatment.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1AFAB_enUS551US661&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=cherry%20and%20holly%20sole%20photo
Later Ed