Question about the old Winegard crank up Batwing antenna.

Atlee Hokie · 02-06-2021, 04:37 AM

I'm talking with two owners of Roadtrek 210 Populars. Both of them said they had developed leaks at the base of the Winegard crank up antenna. One just removed the antenna, and caulked every hole at the base of the antenna. The other one removed the old antenna, and replaced it with a King Jack antenna.

Now my question. Are those Winegard Batwing crank up antennas a natural problem area for leaks?

avanti · 02-06-2021, 05:33 AM

Mine is leaking as we speak. When it gets warm enough, I am going to rip it out and replace it with one of the more modern enclosed units.

Wandering Wes · 02-06-2021, 01:38 PM

I believe you will find the “O” Ring in the crank is missing.
This is an easy 20 minute fix with a new “O” Ring.
Or you can buy a kit from Amazon for about $13.00….

“Winegard - 47315 RP-4000 Roof Kit”.

Note: NEVER use WD40 on rubber.

Wandering Wes
2010 Pleasure-way Excel TS
Never a problem, Sometimes a challenge, Always an adventure

avanti · 02-06-2021, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wandering Wes

[CENTER]I believe you will find the “O” Ring in the crank is missing.

Worth checking. Thanks.

However, mine was fine for 5 years, and has never been disturbed.

mkguitar · 02-06-2021, 04:40 PM

mine leaked when we bought used from a worn seal- which was ok until we were in a tornadic storm- the water poured in!

fixed seal it was fine.

But the previous owner had snagged it in a tree or something, it showed some damage, I also put a cover over my vent which would demand higher clearance- longer "legs". I made a couple but could hear it moving at speed with crosswinds

so I replaced with a winegard rayzar ( $100?)
It doesn't crank up and uses same interior "dial" to rotate it
uses same wiring antenna amplifier

so far...weather tight!

from my driveway in PHX I pick up stations from Tucson's Mt Lemmon transmitters- 108 crow flies miles away

mike

avanti · 02-06-2021, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkguitar

so I replaced with a winegard rayzar ( $100?)
It doesn't crank up and uses same interior "dial" to rotate it
uses same wiring antenna amplifier

Yeah, that's the one I bought. Sitting on my floor waiting for the weather.

booster · 02-06-2021, 06:35 PM

We got a Razor adaption for the crank up mast a number of years ago when we put on the third solar panel. I shortened the mast a bit also so the whole thing doesn't extend past the fan when down.

The say it is omni derectional, but we can tell very easily it is not be rotating it. I think being a bit higher are turnable are what made it get the same amount of channels as the batwing wing in the same camping places.

I don't think they sell that mast conversion any more.

wny-pat · 02-06-2021, 09:59 PM

Anytime you drill or cut a hole in the roof of a vehicle, you stand the chance of developing a leak!

You have to choose the proper material to prevent it from leaking and install that material properly. There are a lot of improper materials to choose from, and there are a awful lot of "Professional RV installers" who do sloppy work! That is the great thing about the world wide web - we get to do all kinds of research to find out how to do things properly, and even sometimes improperly!!!

mkguitar · 02-07-2021, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booster

I don't think they sell that mast conversion any more.

now that I think of it... I made a mount from 1" square tubing which replaces the crank-up mast function..2 pieces about 4" or 5" long.

mike

Lennie · 02-07-2021, 06:34 PM

i have the batwing type and I believe the annual maintenance is supposed to keep the o-ring supple to prevent leaks. There isn't much rain here however everything imaginable leaked in my RV except that and I have been in a lot of rain on my trips. I think the manual specifies a silicone spray lubricant.

Nic7320 · 02-17-2021, 07:06 AM

If anyone is thinking about putting up a different antenna, a new product just started shipping from Winegard.

The "Connect 2.0+" is an upgraded version of the Connect 2.0, and the WF2-95B version now includes an amplified AM, FM and high band TV antenna. The dome also includes a 4G LTE access point and a MIMO wifi extender to add range and cellular access to your wifi system.

It's compatible right now with ATT and Verizon, as well as their pay as you go Winegard plan. A SIM is included for the Winegard plan.

The Connect cell modems now include band 71 needed for Tmobile, although they don't indicate compatibility yet. I'll be testing to see if Tmobile works when I get mine.

$449 plus FedEx shipping direct from Winegard. Mine will be here tomorrow and I'll post a review.

Nic7320 · 03-14-2021, 12:30 AM

I've had the Connect 2.0+ unit for a while now, and it works quite well on Tmobile!

I've been streaming lots of Amazon Prime and YouTube videos. Oddly, on the Tmobile website, it said my device wasn't 4G LTE compatible, but it's so new, it might not be on their equipment list.

I also tried the TV antenna in a nearby town and it got dozens of stations, but I didn't have the old bat wing to compare it against. At some point I'll test them side by side with a weak enough signal to see which works better.

Road Toad · 03-14-2021, 10:30 AM

[QUOTE=Nic7320;125684]I've had the Connect 2.0+ unit for a while now, and it works quite well on Tmobile!

Where did you source that unit? (Amazon?)
Is this the unit you have?
https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-WF2-...s%2C204&sr=8-5

We stream with T-mobile Hotspot and are wanting boost.
As well as Tv OTA improvement.

Nic7320 · 03-14-2021, 11:23 AM

Direct from Winegard:
https://winegard.com/products/cellul...ect-2-4g2-plus

You'll need an adapter for your SIM card if it's not a Mini-SIM (25mm x 15mm x 0.76mm). Tmobile will give you an adapter or swap your micro SIM for the bigger one.

Also, FYI: there's a secret Ethernet port inside the unit.

Road Toad · 03-14-2021, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic7320

Direct from Winegard:
https://winegard.com/products/cellul...ect-2-4g2-plus

You'll need an adapter for your SIM card if it's not a Mini-SIM (25mm x 15mm x 0.76mm). Tmobile will give you an adapter or swap your micro SIM for the bigger one.

Also, FYI: there's a secret Ethernet port inside the unit.

Awesome ... Tks

wny-pat · 03-14-2021, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlee Hokie

Now my question. Are those Winegard Batwing crank up antennas a natural problem area for leaks?

Any where on the roof where you have a hole drilled or cut for placing any object passing thru the roof, there is a very good chance of damage as the vehicle gets older! Roof maintenance is a must!!!

Nic7320 · 03-14-2021, 06:22 PM

Also, your SIM should probably be on a data only plan.

Nic7320 · 03-14-2021, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wny-pat

Any where on the roof where you have a hole drilled or cut for placing any object passing thru the roof, there is a very good chance of damage as the vehicle gets older! Roof maintenance is a must!!!

The hole from my batwing antenna is now a cable inlet for solar, the Connect 2.0+ and two security cameras. Once all the cables were run, I used a rubber furniture leg protector (like a cork) and some putty to seal it.

And this winter, it really got tested for leaks

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