Aerial Point

[Richard_5067800]

I would like to create a point of entry (without drilling through the bodywork of the van) for an aerial cable.

Am I safe to carefully drill a hole through the plastic battery box or alternatively feed the cable through one of the floor air vents.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi richard I would not drill a hole in the batterybox as this should be sealed from the inside of the van as the battery gives off fumes when on charge(we cant be to carfull now can we)I had this problem when I found out that the fitted van aerial a status 315 would not pick up digital signals and had to fit a new one.

as accses to the status hub was in a very small top cupboard and therefore could not convert it to a status 530 I went for a outside pole mounted type 530 instead.

the cable goes throught the van side ajacent to the hub cupboard via a cable connector available from van accsessory shops the type that has a small square plastic waterproof flap on the outside and the cable runs inside and connects to the original status wiring.

it may be a option worth thinking about providing the accses point is on the opposite side of the van to the awning rail as it was in my case and this does not spoil the van or the original wiring

hope this helps

colin

 

[sparkes]

Richard

look at the back of the battery box and you should see a round area that is thinner than the rest. this is the place to drill the box. BUT. First a trip to the caravan shop and ask them for the antenna plug for the battery box. this is pre wired ready to feed up to the status box.

Drill the hole, put the screws in and you have the correct way as done on many new vans.

Seems silly not to do it the official way when it costs less than a tenner. BTW, Colin has already described the proper fitting that is for the battery box. The one with the waterproof door on it.

 

[taylor.paul]

Hi Richard, Colin quite rightly pointed out older battery's can gives off fumes when charging, however if you take a good look as to where the cables from the battery enter the van im sure they will not be 100% sealed, and the outer seal will not be air tight, also modern batterys are sealed if you enlarge the hole or as i did drill a fresh hole then put your cable through with a proper gland you will have no problems, i leave my cable installed in the van and just connect to the "flying lead" in the battery compartment,

 

[Richard_5067800]

Thanks for your help guys but I'm not 100% what I need to get.

Can someone give me a weblink or something showing me how to do it or the items that i need to get.

Thanks

 

[vernon]

The co-ax cable from my ariel enters through an enlarged 15mm drainage hole in the bottom of the front locker, then plugs into a co-ax socket mounted high up on the front bulkhead inside the front locker. The fixed cable from rear of the co-ax socket then goes through a hole in the front bulkhead emerging behind the chest of drawers and is long enogh to connect to the TV.

When not in use I coil the co-ax and store it behind the chest of drawers.

 

[Robert_374242026]

Just to let you know Coachman have got the tv wire through the battery box foe exterior mast and i have extended that to bring in sat' tv to the sat box. As for the comment about fumes getting in, a rubber sleeve in the hole where the cable comes in is quite sufficient

 

[Robert_374242026]

Just to let you know Coachman have got the tv wire through the battery box foe exterior mast and i have extended that to bring in sat' tv to the sat box. As for the comment about fumes getting in, a rubber sleeve in the hole where the cable comes in is quite sufficient

A ps to my comments the less "joins /connectors the better.