4 Methods To Fix Winegard RV Antenna Will Not Rotate

Winegard RV Antenna Will Not RotateWinegard RV Antenna Will Not RotateIntroduction

After a long excursion, you will want nothing more than to return to your RV and relax by watching some of your favorite television shows for free. This undeniable luxury is made possible by innovative devices like the Winegard RV antenna.

This ingenious technology is the perfect addition to any RV. Therefore, when it experiences a malfunction, it can be devastating. Most often, owners have complained about the Wingard losing its ability to rotate freely.

If this has happened to you, then read on to discover all of the more likely sources of the problem and how to resolve them as fast as possible.

The Winegard Antenna

Your trusted Winegard is an easily neglected piece of essential RV technology. We may spend countless hour cleaning and maintaining our RV, however, the reliable antenna is often overlooked.

Winegard Antenna Problems

Firstly, it is positioned well out of reach and, more importantly, out of mind. If we do not see a problem growing, then it is difficult to know to address it. Therefore, it is frequently left without any form of maintenance for extended periods of time.

More significantly, its position on your RV exposes it to the harshest climates and conditions. It can be in baking heat or freezing snow. You expect the Winegard antenna to function in all conditions.

Keep in mind that the component is also exposed to year-round weather conditions when you are not using it. It is remarkable how robust this simple but crucial device can hold up.

Long-term neglect and harsh conditions provide the perfect environment for mechanical issues to develop.

Therefore, when any issue arises from your antenna, particularly mechanical issues like failing to rotate should be addressed immediately. Otherwise, severe and unfixable damage is likely to follow.

Winegard RV Antenna Will Not Rotate

1. Stiff Joints and Bearings

Essentially the mechanical rotation relies on well-lubricated metal components which allow the mechanisms to move with minimal friction.

However, the incredibly harsh conditions that the Winegard is exposed to are ideally suited for degrading lubricated joints quickly.

Therefore, oil-based lubrication is a critical factor in the function of the antenna. Lack of appropriate lubrication is the most common cause of its rotational failure.

When you are choosing a lubricant, you should consider the conditions you are likely to expose your RV to. For example, if you are most often in dry and dusty environments, you should opt for thinner lubricants.

However, it should be noted that these thinner lubes are less robust and will have to be replaced more frequently than their alternatives.

These will be less sticky and less inclined to pick up particles, which will wear away components over time. In colder and wetter conditions, thicker, more weather-resistant oil should be used.

These lubes can take prolonged harsh exposure to water and colder temperatures. In addition, their robust nature can be highly valuable as they need to be applied less frequently and can go years without maintenance.

2. Manual Crank

When you are lubricating the antenna, it is critical to address particular joints which are the most critical for the rotational function. Firstly you should address the elevation crank. This manual rotating crank is used to raise the dish to the appropriate angle.

If it fails, the automated rotational function will not be able to engage correctly. This crank is most often installed internally and will only require a simple thin lubricant which can be purchased cheaply and in a spray bottle.

Thoroughly coat the crank casing, allowing around 5 minutes for the oil to penetrate into the internal bearings.

Then, wipe it clean and complete several full extensions and withdrawals to allow the new oil to sit into the internal movements. Now set up the dish as usual and inspect if it has fixed the rotation.

RV Atenna Crank

3. Gearing Mechanism

The rotational feature of the antenna is possible due to the gearing mechanism in the base plate of the dish. It uses a 12V power supply to rotate the dish, which is not powerful enough to continue functioning if the internal gearing becomes stiff.

The most appropriate method to tackle this problem is to regrease/lubricate the gearing. To do this, you much unscrew and remove the casing of the baseplate of the antenna.

This will expose the complicated gearing system. Do not be intimidated. You do not need to interact with the mechanism. Simply coat it in your preferred lubricant and allow it plenty of time to penetrate fully.

Once you have lubricated the gearing mechanism, you should reinstall the dish. Once installed, you should manually rotate the dish and check if it is relatively easy to do so.

Doing this manually will help eliminate stiff spots and let the lube evenly coat the internal metalwork. Then, complete the same process as usual and observe if this has resolved the rotational issue.

RV Antenna Rotation

4. Electrical Fault

The abundance of practical and inexpensive technology has seen a considerable takeup in the RV industry. As technology has improved, so has the battery power and functionality of RVs.

The Winegard antenna is, of course, no exception. It is hooked up to your RVs onboard 12V/24V leisure battery system and power along with all of your other appliances. Therefore, if your antenna is not rotating, you may have an issue with the electrical current.

The first step is to assess your owner’s manual to check the location of the antenna’s fuse and replace it like for like. Even if the fuse does not appear to have broken, you should change it anyway.

Should the issue persist, you can take a few more steps at home to identify other potential electrical issues.

Identify if other electrical issues are present in your RV. Check particularly if the lights are dimmer than usual or if appliances simply will not turn on. This is likely the result of low-power or poorly functioning batteries which will need to be recharged or replaced.

Unfortunately, all batteries degrade over time, and it is guaranteed to happen during the life of your RV.

Should every other electrical device in your RV be working as expected, there may be an issue specifically with the RVs antenna connection. You can use a multimeter on the Winegards junction box to identify if a suitable voltage, if any, is reaching the component.

If no voltage shows, then there is a break in the connection. Inspect and fasten all of the visible connections where possible and reassess. If you cannon resolve this issue, then you will have to use an electrical specialist to investigate.

Conclusion

Reviewing the above article will equip you with the necessary information to address your Winegard RV antenna’s most common rotational issues. As addressed, problems often involve either a lack of lubrication or an onboard electrical fault.

Both can easily be addressed at home, even if you are not a keen DIY enthusiast. Should you continue to experience issues, you should contact your Winegard supplier.

Although these are very robust components, they can develop unforeseen problems from time to time. The antenna comes with several years warranty as standard, so you should be given a replacement immediately.

Enjoying television in your RV is an indulgent luxury that makes your adventures so much more pleasant. So if you are experiencing issues, you should be able to get it back up and running as soon as possible to continue enjoying your travels.

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