Faulty Satellite Dome on Caravan

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SteveL
SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,475
5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
edited October 2015 in Parts & Accessories #1

When we bought our new caravan, just over 18 months ago, I was determined to make life easier for myself, so had an automatic satellite dome fitted. Ours is a Maxview vudome auto, but this question is not specific to make. We have had nothing but trouble
with ours, first it would not lock on, now it will not give us all the channels, even though we have a good signal and have received them from the same pitch in the past. Every time it goes wrong it has to go back in for repair, and as we are retired and away
so much, these visits are difficult to organise.


As a result we have probably only had it working for half of our touring. I was wondering if anyone had similar problems and indeed what people thought about fixing them to caravans. They don't say they are unsuitable, but even with shock absorbers there
is a lot more vibration with a caravan than a motor home. It did cross my mind that this could be a factor, as I believe the construction within the dome is fairly flimsy.

Comments

  • sstico
    sstico Unconfirmed, Forum Participant Posts: 1 Participant
    First Comment
    Hi I’m having the same problem, I had it on a previous van and it worked, removed it stored in the garage for about 8 years, got a new van, couldn’t get new mounts for it , but because 5ish will be my last van and not my problem in the future glued the dome to te roof!,
    First outing, control box lights up , whirs around on the roof and comes back with errors,
    Contacted Maxview and sent the controller back to be checked this was not FOC had to pay around £70 to be told it was working fine, it could be be dome, you will have to send it (see above) , however with the dome cover off there is a usb socket on the pc board, so asked if there was an update available and told no it was up to date, but I’m sure I’ve read that all satellite receivers will need an update for Astra Sat 28 on your system to continue to receive channels, asked Maxview and they said no, to me it looks like lifetime updates doesn’t exist if they no longer sell the product as the VuDome is not listed anywhere on the support page

    I have the old fashion sat dish on a tripod at side of van , it works

    Has anyone tried any updates to the motherboard under the dome cover ?
  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,760
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited July 22 #3

    I know nothing about the Maxview but there have been a great many changes to the satellites and to the TV signals over the 14 years I have had a Tracvison R4 satellite receiver. The tracking on this works on two selected TV transponders, one in the low band and one in the high. If the frequency of these change, which has happened over the years, then replacement tracking frequencies have to be set up. I have successfully managed to do this on mine using a lap top connected to the maintence port and it is still working today although I have had to twice replace the TV due to updates and transmission changes e.g. SD to HD. I have no idea how the Maxview tracks the satellite but I would be very surprised is some updating wasn't necessary even if you have the latest TV.

    Over the years I have had one fault in the dome which may have been caused by vibration. When I removed the dome to inspect the inside I discovered a loose connection on the circuit board. I was also appalled at the quality of the build! It looked a very cheap build. That said I really should not complain because it still works after all this time.

    peedee

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