Can I get a 12V TV signal booster power supply?
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 13:26
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Member - Kevin S (QLD)
When the Wynegard antenna died on my old van I replaced it with a yagi antenna with a GME Kingray booster powered with a 240V power supply. But now with an off road van set up to operate on
battery power, will I need to run the 240V power supply to the booster through an inverter of can I get a 12V power supply? I have spent a while on the GME web site this morning and can't find any information.
Thanks,
Kevin
Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 13:28
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 13:28
That should be booster, of course, not pooster. Why can't we have spell
check on subject lines?
Kevin
AnswerID:
480706
Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:06
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:06
Kevin
It would be better as follows; "Why can't we have a spelling checker on the subject lines".
Better still, do it correctly in the first instance.
Actually, we are lucky he did not type an "F": instead of the "S"!!!!!!!!
Phil
FollowupID:
756139
Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:14
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:14
I give up. Better go back and get out of bed again.
Phil
FollowupID:
756140
Reply By: vk1dx - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:09
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:09
Hi Kevin
You could start with this ebay item:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TV-ANTENNA-BOOSTER-12v-DC-Masthead-Amplifier-Power-supply-/150776888681?pt=AU_Television_Accessories&hash=item231b00bd69
Try searching for
TV antenna amplifier or booster with Google.
Phil
AnswerID:
480709
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:25
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:25
That's a 240V power source Phil. I'm looking for 12. Looks like I drew the short straw today.
Kevin
FollowupID:
756142
Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:37
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:37
Have another look Kevin. Read all the listing especially the specifications.
The actual amplifier that does the work is that silver box in the weatherproof box and it needs a 12V DC input. All you need is a 12V plug for the car on one end and an appropriate connector the other end and you are cooking with 12V! (not gas).
Give the 240V stuff away and just run 12V from the van up to the box at the antenna. You could put the amplifier it inside just at the TV if you wish. But you may amplify any trash from the van or surrounding generators that gets picked up by the cable to the antenna.
Phil
FollowupID:
756143
Reply By: Life Member - esarby (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:40
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:40
Kevin.
I think this is what you are after. Look at this link.
www.aroundoz.com/a_clinic_archive/tv.../tv_signal_booster.htm
It will work on both. On the road or if you have been sent to the Dog House for the night, :- ))))
AnswerID:
480710
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 15:22
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 15:22
Thanks earsby but I am getting a "not found" response on that URL.
Kevin
FollowupID:
756148
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:40
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 14:40
Hi Kevin. Just fitted one to my van along with the Masthead amplifier. I was recomended by Kingray to use either a PIK 170 of PIK170F but when I went to source it Electrocraft in North
Sydney substituted it for a PIK 2750. I think the F means push in fittings as
mine has the screw on type. Just be careful of the current direction as it only has a symbol on the label and the BROWN wire is POSITIVE. Only got it finished yesterday but for
my home area it is working
well so far. Cheers,Bob.
AnswerID:
480711
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 16:38
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 16:38
Thanks Bob that looks like the answer. The fitting that introduces power to the antenna lead is permanently attached to the lead from the transformer with pressure fittings for the connections to the antenna lead. I obviously need a fitting that allows a 12V lead to be plugged into it or one that is permanently attached to a 12V cigar type plug via its lead.
Kevin
FollowupID:
756156
Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 16:59
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 16:59
Hi again Kev. Have a look
here and you will see what I mean. Bob.
FollowupID:
756159
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 17:04
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 17:04
Yes I had one of the Happy wanderer Amps and just put a cigar lighter socket on the end that you see the 240v setup.
It just converts 240v to 12v DC . so it is a very simple adjustment.
Plus if you contact them they can supply one already done for you.
FollowupID:
756160
Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 18:11
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 18:11
Image Could Not Be Found
This is a photo of my fitup. The coax cable not connected is from the "cable tv" point which I dont need. The coax fittings on the PIK are the screw fittings I spoke of. The Brown and Blue wire are the 12v supply (Brown being the +) they plug into the "hella" type plug which is disconnected when not being used. Cheers,Bob.
FollowupID:
756164
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 19:43
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 19:43
Very neat, Bob. All I intend to do is have a 240V and 12V power source to feed into the cable between the TV and the plug on the wall. THat's all that is available without almost rewiring the van. Incidentally, I notice that my 240V power supply has an output of 17.5 VAC. From that I assume that voltage introduced at this low end of the range is not real important.
Kevin
FollowupID:
756173
Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 20:24
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 20:24
Hi again. I'm just leaving
mine run on 12v at all times so no need for 240v. Bob.
FollowupID:
756179
Reply By: Member - willawa - Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 23:01
Sunday, Mar 18, 2012 at 23:01
Kevin.
I have one of these works a treat 12 & 240 @ Jaycar
Cat no.LT3137
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Digital Indoor/Outdoor Antenna
As global television moves from analogue to digital, this indoor/outdoor digital antenna will be a great investment in your household. With its contemporary style it will provide you with the high quality clear reception needed. The panel can mounted to the wall; great for minimising space. AC adaptor included.
Specifications:
• Frequency range: VHF - 174-230MHz, UHF - 470-862MHz
• Antenna gain: 10dB
• Total gain: 40dB
• Impedance: 75 ohm
• Output: F female connector
• Dimensions: 502(L) x 235(W) x 76(H)mm
AnswerID:
480753
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 09:13
Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 09:13
Thanks for that willawa. The link didn't work but I have a Jaycar catalogue and found it in there. I am only looking for a 12V power source for an existing antenna and booster but I am interested in your comments. Do you find that this antenna gives good reception away from major centres?
Kevin
FollowupID:
756208
Follow Up By: Member - willawa - Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 13:21
Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 13:21
Hi kevin.
I haven't had any reception problems at most
places ,however I have not tried it in many remote areas to date but they were OK also.
I did have to purchase a step down transformer(12-5v) to power the booster .
(also from Jaycar at around $20.00.)
hope this helps
Ed
FollowupID:
756223
Reply By: Mal58 - Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 08:21
Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 08:21
Hi Kevin,
Did you go to the Kingray site ? I think that you will find more information there.
Most, if not all antenna boosters / mast head amplifiers are powered via a plug pack that puts a lower voltage (typically 12-14 Volts DC) on the antenna cable which then goes to the booster / amplifier.
It would help if you knew the model number of the booster / mast head amplifier that you have.
Go to the Kingray site and look through their catalogue at
http://www.kingray.net.au/public/pdf/brochures/kingray_11.pdf
From there you should be able to work out what model you have and find out what power supply it has.
Hopefully it will be a 14 Volts DC one and not a 22 Volts DC one.
If you have a 14 Volts DC power supply, it will be a matter of unplugging the plug pack and running a 12 Volt lead instead.
If you have a 22 Volts DC power supply, then you will need to get a new booster / mast head amplifier.
Cheers,
Mal58
AnswerID:
480770
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 09:31
Monday, Mar 19, 2012 at 09:31
Thank you Mal58. The mast head booster is model MHW34F and the 240V power source is model PSK08. Its rated output is 17.5V AC. I note from the detail at the head of the list in the Kingray catalogue that this series of boosters work on 14V 17.5V or 22V and the acceptable power sources listed are PSK08 (22V), PSK06 (14V) and PSK08 (17.5V). so it looks like all I need is a
junction box to go in the antenna cable with a 12V supply from the cigar socket in the van.
Surprising the information that you can get from one simple question on this
forum. So now, off to Jaycar!
Cheers,
Kevin
FollowupID:
756209