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Winegard Trav'ler and Genie HR44 - "SWM Not Detected"


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Looking for suggestions on what to check next.

 

1) We've been in the Pacific Northwest with about 4-5 days of almost continuous rain.

 

2) A show DVR recorded properly for us this AM.

 

3) Gone for a few hours, and the 775 error code came up when we power on the Genie HR44.

 

4) Brought the dish down. Powered off the Genie. Brought the dish back up, indicated it locked on to all 99/101/103 birds. Still error code 775.

 

5) Reset the Genie, via the red button. After it cycled thru, still code 775.

 

6) Pulled the card out of the Genie, waited a few minutes, and reseated the card. Then powered off/on the Genie. Still error 775.

 

7) Powered off the Genie, waited 3-5 minutes, powered back on. Still error 775.

 

8) Called DirecTV Tech Support, and asked them to refresh the box. They did. Still error 775.

 

====

 

I mentioned the rain, and yeah, still raining now, so will not go up on the roof to check the connections at this time.

 

Question? If the Trav'ler controller is indicating locked onto 99/101/103 birds, is that a good indiction that the SWM is working? Running System Info & Test, the Receiver ID and Access Card are reflected as being visible.

 

Running the System Info & Test further ("_" activated), Diagnostic Code 51-443 comes up. SWM Not Detected.

 

Still in question mode, does that mean that even though the Satellite is locked onto 99/101/103, the Genie HR44 and Satellite can't communicate. Is this a pretty good indication that the after days of rain, the coax connections on the roof could have moisture problems? (Will look when things dry up, I assume they will in a few days, as we ran out of room in the coach once the male and female Zebra's came on board:)!). Or, could the Trav'ler SWM be sick. (Trying to understand if the satellite can lock onto the three birds, if the SWM is sick?)

 

TIA for any info sharing, best to all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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The first thing I would check is the power inserter to make sure it is plugged in and working.

 

 

The Trav'ler Interface Box powers up fine, and the Satellite goes thru full deployment mode, locking in on the three birds, and also goes to store mode well to. Have done this about 5 full cycles now. I believe the SWM is embedded in the Trav'ler itself (Vs on some applications it's a stand alone box, that interfaces to a dish.

 

Reading the Genie HR44 codes, I can tell that the HR44 indicates No SWM found. Will call and ask Winegard for help. What I'm mostly trying to determine, is if the SWM is bad, or if they can tell by some kind of Diagnostic if it's the cables between the Trav'ler and the HR44. (Lots and lots of moisture still here in the Pacific Northwest, so I have not ventured onto the roof to look over cable connections. Very possible one has been compromised by moisture enough to cause a problem. Could be as simple as undoing couplings, cleaning and drying, maybe add some dielectric grease, and putting things all back together. But, want a break in the rain to do that... And, if Winegard has away via the Trav'ler Interface Box (The unit that turns it on/off and reflects the locked on satellites.) to determine the health of the SWM unit, that would let me know which direction to go in next.

 

Keep looking for more info on diagnostic's for the Trav'ler, but no luck finding that so far:)!

 

Thanks,

Smitty

 

On Edit: I forgot to mention the Power Inverter is 'Blue Light' on. And again, I have poured it off and on now a few times during this diagnostic activity.

 

So Power Inverter is on, Trav'ler Interface Box is on, and locked onto the three birds, Genie HR44 not finding SWM. So I suppose that narrows it down to the cable connections, and or the splitter. (Have eye balled the splitter yet, suspect it is buried deeper behind the entertainment cabinets then I've dug into at this time. But, even though we've had quite a bit of humidity and condensation here in the Pacific Northwest, when I look up into the front cap area of our coach, no obvious signs of condensation build up of moisture. And that is where the Power Inverter is mounted, as well as the Interface Box, so suspect the Spitter is also in a deeper region then I have dug. I suppose that leads to the roof top connections next. But, Momma says Smitty is not (Well, it was more like YOU'LL NOT!) go onto the roof while it is still raining:)!

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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The SWM is not in the Trav'ler. It is a separate module that powers the LNB. The coax from the Trav'ler runs from the dish to the SWM power brick and then from the brick to the receiver. Either the coax is disconnected or the power brick is unplugged or the circuit it's plugged into is tripped. Or the power brick has failed, or the LNB is bad. Chuck

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Chuck and Susan      1999 Fleetwood Bounder 34            Triton V10 on Ford Chassis

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Thanks Chuck.

 

Power is good, the blue light is on the power inverter. All satellites locked onto.

 

Reading a current thread on IRV2, I'm going to be I have a corrosion problem on the RG6 connectors. Hope to get up on the roof to check them today, weather permitting. I bought some electrical water repellent, CRC 2-26. So I'll disconnect all of the fittings, inspect for corrosion, clean and spray with 2-26, and put things all back together. Have not located the splitter yet, hoping it's up on the rooftop when I get up there. And that will part of the cleaning process.

 

Will power everything back up and see what happens once that is complete:)!

 

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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Smitty, Did you log on and reauthorize your box? The Trav'ler will lock on to the sats even if the box lost authorization. If you haven't reauthorized you box you can log into you account and reauthorize. Also if the Trav'ler is a newer unit the swim is built into the antenna. On our 2016 Mobile Suite there is not separate SWM box as before. Dick

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Dick, Not doubting your word but our two week old Winegard Trav'ler does have a separate SWM power supply. I know because I just finished installing it. Based on the info on Winegard's website, http://www.winegard.com/travler/travler-tech-specs , the SWM power inserter is included with the dish for DirecTV. Chuck

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Chuck and Susan      1999 Fleetwood Bounder 34            Triton V10 on Ford Chassis

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Dick - The Catch22 on 'Refreshing', is that Genie HR44 and the Traveler are not communicating. No SWM Detected... But yesterday the DirecTV Tech Support did send a Refresh. And for grins, I did log online and sent another Refresh after reading our post.

 

Appreciated the tip, and it sure did not hurt to try:)!

 

Best,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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OK, so we had a few hours of no rain this afternoon.

 

Up onto the roof, removed the thin coax connector. The male part at the base plate of the turret, had a bit of copper looking corrosion visible when I pulled the female connector out. Cleaned best i could, used the CRC 2-26, and attached/unattached two or three times, hoping the copper wire inserting into the male's timing hole, would clean things up some.

 

The second RG6 Coax cable, comes out of the base horizontally and I believe it goes to the back to he HR44, looked good. Still cleaned it, and CRC 2-26, and on/off of connecting it two or three times. I did not go into the turret to check any other connections. And I did not determine where the thin coax terminated up in the pointing mast part coming out of the dash. (I want to check to see if I have any warranty left on this unit, and did not want to jeopardize the warranty by going in too deep.

 

Back inside the coach, fired everything up, and still No SWM Detected... So, that did not take care of it. Will poke around more to see if I can find where the splitter is, as it was not up on the roof.

 

So still no cigar for Smitty:)!

 

Best to all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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Chuck by golly you are right. When we got the new rig I asked if I needed to bring my SWM box and was told no it is included. Because I had never seen the box I thought they meant it was included in the dish, so today I went searching for the SWM and couldn't find it so I called the factory. They mounted it behind the TV on the wall mount for the TV in the living room! It is a non movable mount so I hope I never have trouble with it. Dick

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(The below is a copy of an update I posted to IRV2. Sure funny how all of the documentation I found for our unit, did not include this in the 'Parts Lists'... And, how confusing it is to be seeing pictures of what must be the wiring for the Trav'ler Dish unit, under the Trav'ler for the DirecTV unit. (Confuse as it was, seeing pictures of though similar, not the same wiring we have for DirecTV - just added to the confusion:)!

 

Copy---------

 

 

We had an hour to dig around behind more of the cabinets. Found a part that is not on the Winegard Trav'ler Manuals Parts Lists. It is a unit that I was told to try and find, by a few fellow RV'ers on the Escapees board.

It"s a Power Inserter Model P121R-16. No light was on, so figured the unit either had a power supply problem, or had gone out.
Found where it was plugged in, and validated power to that outlet. So, the unit must be bad. Disconnected the RG6 coax's, and slowly unwound the power cord out of the cabinet, dodging other components wires along the way.
Getting it out, it started dripping water all over the furniture - making me very popular with the DW:)!
Probably 1 - 1 1/2 OZ in all dripped out. Figure it was condensation from the two months we've spent in the Pacific Northwest... And, the installer had it velcro attached to the outside cap wall, with no insulation to help protect it.
So now need to figure out how to get a replacement:)! (Have a call into the installer, and his parts guy is going to sort this out for us.
We'll see once it is replaced, and located in a different area no as subject to cold and condensation, if that solves the problem. Or, if it leads to another opportunity:)!
Best,
Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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The SWM power inserter is included in our Winegard manual. There are manuals covering both Dish and DirecTV and it is not needed or listed with the Dish equipment but is for the DirecTV. It's on page 2 of our manual under Parts. Chuck

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Chuck and Susan      1999 Fleetwood Bounder 34            Triton V10 on Ford Chassis

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Thanks Chuck - Glad to see your have a manual that includes the Power Inserter in your Parts Lists:)!

 

Ours did not. And, the online PDF from Winegard for our specific unit, also does not. It does however show images, that clearly relate to the Dish Trav'ler, in regards to wiring, even though it's supposed to be for DirecTV.

 

No worries, as now I have drawn my own list of components, at least in regards to our unit and it's install:)!

 

Best,

Smitty

 

(And note: Very possible that the Printed Manual provided to us was a more generic Trav'ler related document...

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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So. I hope tomorrow we'll know who and how our Power Inserter will be replaced.

 

My call to DirecTV, who's name is on the part, ended up with me on hold to talk with a Supervisor so long - that I finally lost connection. (We were driving at the time.) And naturally, even though they had my phone contact info, and after at least 5 attempts by the gent trying to help me being asked to 'Forward me to your Supervisor.' - no polite return call. (On hold, in between the 5 attempts to tell me to call some place else, for 15 minutes waiting to talk with a Supervisor.)

 

We've opened our Power Inserter, and used a Hair Dryer on low setting to finish drying it out. No luck, as it still will not power up.

 

Looking at the case, I see multiple entry points for either moisture, and or condensation, to enter the case. I saw in the electrical department of Lowes, a few products called Spray Tape. They're in a can, and supposedly you can spray them onto connections, or the outside of typical connections, let them set, and then they basically become a 'tape protection' for this connection. Supposed to also be 'flexible'.

 

I'm thinking that whenever a new Power Inserter catches up with me, that I'd like to waterproof the case a bit better then OEM.

 

One option, is to spray 'Tape Protection in a Can' mourned the cases molded seams, and the two Male coax connection points.

 

Another option, is to open the case, and add a beam of silicone like sealant on the seam, maybe RTV, and also at the penetration points of the two male plug ends for the coax to hook onto.

 

I'm just not familiar with Tape Protection in a Can products, and wanted to know if anyone else had used it successfully?

 

And for sure, I'll mount this away from the cap and or side walls of the coach, to try to reduce what I told the DW is 'Condensation transfer' to the inside of the plastic case of the Power Inserter. And in hindsight, probably should have had a dehumidifier running in the coach this 5 months of travel in moist climates. Especially the Pacific Northwest:)! (Live and learn:)!)

 

Anyone have any tips to avoid this 1 to 1 1/2 OZ of moisture build up inside the case of this (Or any other...) electrical product:)!

 

TIA, and best to all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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Thanks Chuck - Glad to see your have a manual that includes the Power Inserter in your Parts Lists:)!

 

Ours did not. And, the online PDF from Winegard for our specific unit, also does not. It does however show images, that clearly relate to the Dish Trav'ler, in regards to wiring, even though it's supposed to be for DirecTV.

 

No worries, as now I have drawn my own list of components, at least in regards to our unit and it's install:)!

 

Best,

Smitty

 

(And note: Very possible that the Printed Manual provided to us was a more generic Trav'ler related document...

 

Smitty, Not sure where your looking but here is the Trav'ler DirecTV manual and it clearly shows the SWM power inserter on page two. This is the only manual I have seen for the DirecTV SWM8 Trav'ler. Chuck http://www.winegard.com/help/images/8/89/2452282.pdf

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Chuck and Susan      1999 Fleetwood Bounder 34            Triton V10 on Ford Chassis

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The SWM power inserter is not designed to be used outdoors or any place it can come in contact with moisture, So you need to mount it inside in a dry environment. It's usually mounted close to the TV. Per the manual "The power inserter should not be mounted on the roof of the vehicle". They probably should include the notation to make sure the mounting area stays dry. You might also check to be sure you don't have a leak in the area where the inserter was mounted. This sounds like a lot for just condensation. Chuck

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Chuck and Susan      1999 Fleetwood Bounder 34            Triton V10 on Ford Chassis

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Thanks Chuck. And yes, we have found links that reflect the power inserter, appreciated you adding the PDF to be sure I saw it. It was in the printed documentation that they sent us, as well as a link that we were directed to look at, where the parts list did not include the power inserter. (I've moved on past that, as I'm looking at one on my counter top as I type - so, it has one:)!)

 

And the power inserter is mounted behind the HR44, in our entertainment cabinet. It was velcro to the curve of the cap, with part of the insulation pulled away to be able to stick the tape against a solid surface. And we did have more moisture in the coach then my wife and I have ever had. Actually looking into buying a small dehumidifier to add to are arsenal of gear (You know, the things you use maybe 3 to 4 times a year, and then have to work around them all of the rest of the year. Like our humidifier, that we use for about 5-7 weeks a year while in Arizona:)!). We had the rain, and thus heavy humidity, and we had temps down into the low 40's overnight, with the heater on inside. Our front windscreen behind the privacy curtain, was pretty covered by condensation every AM when we opened things up. I will mount this in a different location, but have limited play in the slack left in the two coax cables. And, I'll get the pulled down insulation (About a 8" space.) back up onto the cap and taped back into location. I suspect that will help a great deal.

 

As the part is covered by warranty, I hope, I'm asking the RV facility to have Winegard send it to the next campground we're going to. I've offered to pay for shipping, as only UPS and FedEx can deliver inside of this park. Should hear something in the next hour or two. The only question then will be, can they get it out today, and if so, do I pay for overnight shipping so I can watch Sunday Football (I say no, but the DW do like her Football:)!) So, we'll see.

 

I did ask the Parts Manager who is talking with Winegard, to also ask if their is a Lodi or Fresno, CA DirecTV location they want me to go and pick the unit up. I'd be happy to do this too.

 

And finally, though the DW would hate to lose some of the arsenal of movies and shows she has on the DVR, I'd be happy to start over with the HR54... See, I'm a flexible customer:)!

 

Best, and also thanks for posting on IRV2...

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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The PI21 power inserter is a standard DirecTV part (for use with the SWM3 LNB) and can easily be obtained from multiple sources, including Amazon. Since yours is under warranty there is no reason not to get Winegard to replace it, but there's no problem with getting one to replace yours. I even have one for sale which you could have for just the cost of shipping.

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We have duplicates of everything. A spare power inserter, a spare LNB and a spare dish that we can set up on a tripod if we are in a situation where the roof dish is blocked. All the parts are interchangeable and none of them are expensive. Chuck

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Chuck and Susan      1999 Fleetwood Bounder 34            Triton V10 on Ford Chassis

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So, I will miss Sunday football:)!

 

After the RV shop that installed the unit finished talking with Winegard, it just turned out to be better to have me talk with directly. So, I lost two days in this dance (Actually 3, because I first talked with Winegard Tech Support on Tuesday...).

 

I was Told by the RV shop's Part Manager, that Winegard would need to have a Winegard authorized dealer inspect and validate the component was bad. They suggested I call and talk directly with the rep, who gave them permission and a reference case number, for me to call them him directly to go over everything.

 

I placed my call, and after on hold waiting for 15 mins, it rolled to the Voice Mail option, to leave a name and call back number. I did.

 

I decided to drive to the closest Winegard authorized dealer in the area. I took the Power Inserter with me. A nice gent looked at it, yep 'No light comes on, probably bad.'. He then ran two tests, and said 'It's bad.' Gave me his cell phone number to give to DirecTV so they could contact him to verify it was a 'bad unit'.

 

Around three hours later, Winegard called me back. Nice gent. Explained that I had gone to the Winegard authorize deal, and that he could contact him to validate it was a 'bad unit'. But he said 'That won't be needed.'.

 

OK, so it's Friday afternoon around 2:00PM PST, they're Central Time, I asked 'What is the chance we can get this shipped today?' Very polite answer, none... That they don't have these in inventory ready to ship, and besides, the shipping department goes home at 4:00PM. He said it would be probably Tuesday, or Wednesday, before they could ship one...

 

I asked him the difference between my Power Inserter with a "-16" on the end of the model number vs one with a "-03" on the end. He said electronically they're the same, just different cases, but either one would work.

 

So I asked him to send me an email, and told him I would have the Trav'ler SN to him over the weekend.

 

I then went to Amazon, and ordered a Power Inserter "-03" at the end of the Model Number, and it will be delivered Monday.

 

I'll stash the replacement unit from Winegard, into my Spares Parts storage, whenever it catches up with me:)!

 

=====

 

I want to than everyone for their input. I also want stress that the people I talked with at Winegard were very nice to converse with. They're following their procedures, and I understand this. When this is over, I'm going to send them an email about my concern about the manual they shipped with my Trav'ler, and how the Parts Lists did not included the Power Inserter. (This caused me two days of head scratching. And yes, it was the responses here and IRV2 and a few Emails, that convinced me I had to keep looking until I located it...). I told my wife that I liked talking and dealing with Winegard Tech Support staff. Told her I'm not real sure I made the right choice for us when I purchased the Trav'ler over the Motostat... The thin coax wire having the signs of early corrosion, not covered by warranty, does bother me. This is the coax that they installed at the factory, not by the tech at the RV placed that helped me...

 

Looks like this one should be behind us by sometime on Monday...

 

Best to all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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So classic:)! (At least it seems for us:)!) We're expecting the replacement Power Inserter to feed the SWiM in our Trav'ler to Genie HR44 DirecTV system. (Should come tomorrow.)

 

Tonight, we went to watch a DVR'd movie we had been saving and looking forward to see, when "Hard Drive" failure related message pop's up as we attempt to see our DirecTV HR44 DVR prerecorded shows....

 

Yeah, I'll do some more poking around in the AM. But not now looking forward to another week or so of working with - well, I'm honestly not sure who to work with... The failed Power Inserter says right on it DIrecTV. But, even though I first got the HR44 Genie DVR from Winegard, I honestly do not know who to ask for a replacement:)!(?). Is it DirecTV? Or, is it again Winegard?

 

All I know for sure, is at the tail end of a trip, I suspect we'll not be watching any DIrecTV before we get home early next week. As, it seems to be a 'dance' between the two, and, then it is the luck of the draw as to who you might get on the phone during Tech Support. (Though I will say, even though I alway seem to have to wait for a Winegard Tech Support to call me back - I do feel the provide good tech support in talking over, and debugging, issues:)!)

 

So, even though we'll lose all of the movies and shows we have in queue for time with no connection to a satellite - I will ask for the HR54 as a replacement:)!

 

Done whining, actually I suppose venting.

 

The only real danger to this, other then paying for something that we've not been able to use for a week now, and probably a few before it is behind us...), is that my wife and I are talking quite a bit more.... I think she is beginning to reevaluate how I ever landed her:)!

 

Best to all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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I'm not real sure I made the right choice for us when I purchased the Trav'ler over the Motostat..

Motostat has been out of business now for a few years. Owners of them can no longer get software updates to find the satellites.

So some our now becoming really big paper weights. Unless they buy a aftermarket control box or pay $$$ for aftermarket software update.

 

The Trav'ler has never needed a software update.

 

The HR44 belongs to DirecTV so you will need to call them for a replacement or tech help.

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Motostat has been out of business now for a few years. Owners of them can no longer get software updates to find the satellites.

So some our now becoming really big paper weights. Unless they buy a aftermarket control box or pay $$$ for aftermarket software update.

 

The Trav'ler has never needed a software update.

 

The HR44 belongs to DirecTV so you will need to call them for a replacement or tech help.

 

 

 

Thanks Biker56 - Yeah, I brain faded a bit more then normal:)! It was RF Mogul, not Motostat:)!

 

And after unplugging the HR44, waiting 5 minutes, and plugging it back in - I now longer get any error message about the Hard Drive. Maybe it will become an intermittent problem, or maybe it was really not a problem at all - but the poor little HR44 became confused by all of the shuffling around of equipment to get into the Power Inserter:)!

 

Good reason for me to get an external drive hooked into the mix, to preserve the arsenal of recorded show for times when we're not able to lock onto the birds:)!

 

Best to you, and all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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One more update on Winegard. Today I received a call from a gent processing the replacement Power Inserter unit. He'd read the notes on my ticket, and was calling because he wanted to be sure that was the only problem we had. He started to ask me if I could go thru a processes with him, to determine if other problems existed. I explained that I'd bought a unit from Amazon, after the tech support gent confirmed it was compatible with my Trav'ler, and that we were back up online now...

 

Main reason for the post, is that I thought it was neat that someone downstream from the first line of tech support help - took the time to call and see if it was maybe not the only problem. And yeah, they're still sending me a replacement Power Inserter, so I'll have a spare:)!

 

Best to all,

Smitty

Be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life!

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