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Sensar antenna orientation


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I have a somewhat silly question. Situation:

2007 Dynaquest

Sensar antenna with a WifiRanger Elite mounted on top - not the pole version

Getting ready for solar panels, so need to free up roof space.

I already plan on shortening the legs of the Sensar so when raised, the Wifi Elite is just above the AC units

 

The Sensar is mounted towards the front on the right side

 

Silly question.

All the Sensars I have seen are mounted so they are lengthwise down the coach when retracted.

Can I mount it so it is across the width of the RV when retracted? The obvious answer is of course I can, but how dumb of an idea is it? I am thinking that the air flow towards the front of a Super C is somewhat shielded.

 

 

Rich and Carol

2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL

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Hi Rich

My thoughts on a lateral (crosswise) bat wing mount are the wings oscillating much like the straps on a flatbed with a tall load & the person binding it down neglected to put twists in the straps. I'm sure you've heard the flapping more than once.

The antenna may be shielded but there may be enough turbulence to get them oscillating especially in certain wind conditions/directions relative to travel direction. I've seen some rigs with a fairing attached to the roof to shield the leading wing about 2" tall. They may have had a bad experience (wind/branches) once already & that was their attempt @ prevention (never took the opportunity to ask).

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As George said, and the reason the Sensar's "wings" are bent down on the ends and the shape of the center housing is purely aerodynamics to create down force while underway. Mounted sideways, even if there wasn't enough lift to destroy the antenna, there would likely be enough to cause it to slap up and down on the roof. Not good...

Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system

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you guys are probably right

 

So my other thought is to raise the base of the mount 3-4" - based on the height of the mounted panel. so when lowered it rests on the panel

 

Or - get rid of the sensar, but I really like the setup for the WifiRanger

Rich and Carol

2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL

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you guys are probably right

 

So my other thought is to raise the base of the mount 3-4" - based on the height of the mounted panel. so when lowered it rests on the panel

 

Or - get rid of the sensar, but I really like the setup for the WifiRanger

I bought a 12' painters pole, drilled out the threaded end, ran the Ethernet cable up through the pole to the WFR Mobile, coil up the excess at the bottom when stowed for travel. The pole is mounted to the ladder with American Valve Split Ring hangers. It travels well below the top of the AC unit & can deploy 8+' above the usual neighboring obstructions.

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When I replaced my old antenna with the Winegard Sensar (aka Batwing) there was not enough room for it to stow toward the rear so I mounted it sideways. I have had no problems at all. On my pickup camper that I had previously, the Batwing was mounted front to back and wind bent the leading wing up.

Tom
—————————————————
2005 Born Free 24' Rear Bath
Towing 1978 VW Bug convertible
Minneapolis, MN

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You may not have this option, but I moved my OTA antenna from the front of our 5th wheel to the back when I installed solar. Not only was the OTA antenna in the way, but I didn't want it shading the solar. If you put it so it rests on the panel when lowered, I would think it would cause shading issues for solar in some locations.

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2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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Thanks for all the replies. I have come up with an alternate plan

As I mentioned previously, my main reason for wanting the Sensar setup was because I used it to raise the WiFiRanger Elite FM which I had mounted on top of it.

 

New plan:

Keep the arms for the Sensar, but will be shortening them by ~ 50%. Remove the Sensar batwing and replace with the King Jack head. Mount the Elite FM on the King Jack head. This should give me enough room the solar panels and enough height for the WiFi Elite FM to work.

 

Will report back.

Will be trying to get this done this weekend, but also installing the Maximum Signal unit, so might run out of time, beer, and cuss words :)

Rich and Carol

2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL

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