Installation TracVision A5 Overview TracVision A5 Antenna Antenna Cable Customer-supplied Components In-vehicle Components Receiver RF Converter Mobile Video Display(s) RF Remote Control 12V Power (50 watts max) • Provides excellent satellite TV reception while driving along the open road. • Antenna tracks the DIRECTV 101W satellite, which is located in the southern sky. • System includes an integrated DIRECTV receiver (with picture-inguide APG), an RF converter, and an RF remote control.
Installation Safe Handling • Two people are required to lift the antenna. Do not try to install the antenna by yourself. • Remove the shipping restraints from underneath, as shown in the photos above. Do not flip the antenna upside down. • Never tilt the antenna greater than 45° once the restraints are removed. Effective April 2004 Subject to change without notice 54-0239 TracVision A5 Shop Manual © 2004 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
Installation Mounting to a Roof Rack Cover Antenna Flat-head TORX Screws Mounting Bracket Swivel Nuts Button-head TORX Screws Rubber Cushions Roof Rack Crossbar Rubber Cushions Retaining Block Swivel Nuts Flat Washers Lock Nuts • Position the roof rack crossbars 351/2" apart, measured center-tocenter. • At least 1" clearance is required between the underside of the antenna and the roof. To raise the antenna higher, use the spacers supplied in the kitpack (see page 2.
Installation Mounting to the Roof Cover Antenna Flat-head TORX Screws Mounting Bracket Button-head TORX Screws Mounting Block Jack Nuts • KVH’s roof-mount kit is designed only for flat metal roofs up to 3 /16" thick. • Install a jack nut in all eight 7/16" mounting holes. Ensure the jack nuts are securely attached to the roof. • At least 1" clearance is required between the underside of the antenna and the roof.
Installation Mounting to Hummer Rack Crossbar 19" Rubber Strips 26.25" Rubber Strip T-nuts Pin-in-hex Screw Flat Washer Button-head TORX Screws Crossbar T-nut (in center channel) • KVH’s Hummer kit is designed only for standard 2"-thick Hummer roof rack crossbars. • Position the roof rack crossbars 391/2" apart, measured center-tocenter. • Cut each crossbar’s rubber strip into three pieces as shown above. These measurements are critical to position the T-nuts properly.
Installation Proper Wiring TracVision A5 Wiring Diagram Antenna Vehicle Roof Fuse Vehicle Power (10-16 VDC) DC Power Ground Service/ Maintenance Only To VHF Antenna (Optional) For detailed system wiring instructions, refer to the TracVision A5 Installation Guide. TO IRD SATELLITE IN VHF ANTENNA IN AUDIO R AUDIO L TO KVH ANTENNA DIAGNOSTIC PORT 1 DIAGNOSTIC PORT 2 TO VIDEO VIDEO TruSurround, SRS and VEHICLE POWER (10-16 VDC) symbol are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc.
Installation Connecting to Power Before you start: • Before connecting the power cable, remove the key from the ignition and remove the negative lead from the vehicle battery. Connecting the receiver power cable’s red (positive) wire: • Connect the red wire to +12 VDC switched (accessory) power. With the vehicle running and the receiver turned on, power at the receiver must measure at least 11 VDC. • Do not wire any other device to the same power circuit.
Installation Connecting to Power (cont’d) Do not connect the receiver directly to the vehicle’s battery without following these additional steps: • Install a protective fuse (6 amps) within 18" of the battery. • Install a relay, switched from the ignition, between the battery and the receiver. • Use fire-resistant AWG 8 wire from the relay to the battery.
Installation Installation Checklist 9 You affixed the antenna serial number label to the red Activation Card. 9 You verified the roof rack crossbars are securely fastened to the vehicle and are sturdy enough for the antenna. 9 You removed the antenna’s shipping restraints from below. 9 You used the proper tamper-resistant mounting hardware. 9 You allowed at least 1" of clearance between the antenna and the vehicle’s roof. 9 You verified that the antenna is securely attached to the vehicle.
Proper Operation If the TracVision system was left on when the vehicle was last turned off, TracVision will automatically turn on when you start up the vehicle. DO NOT DO ANYTHING! Wait 30-60 seconds for the Program Guide to load and you are ready to watch TV – if the Program Guide doesn’t load, check for blockage as noted in step 7. Activation & Operation PLEASE NOTE! 1. Turn on the car. 2. Ensure that the receiver’s power switch is turned on. The light should be lit. (The receiver beeps twice.) 3.
Proper Operation (cont’d) PWR DVD VCR AUX TV SAT GUIDE MENU TURBO FAV LINE GUID NE 7. If Message 2 does not appear after Message 1, ensure that the antenna has a clear view of the satellite and there is no standing water (rain, dew, or ice) on the dome. The antenna requires an unobstructed view of the southern sky to receive satellite TV signals. Once the antenna finds the satellite, and the receiver downloads the Program Guide (it may take 60 seconds), you can start watching TV.
Using the Receiver • Before the customer can start enjoying satellite TV, he/she must activate the receiver (after the system has been installed). • Don’t forget to give the customer the red Activation Card, which comes attached to the back of the receiver. The customer needs this card in order to activate the receiver. Activation & Operation Activating a Receiver • Be sure to affix the antenna serial number label to the Activation Card.
What to Tell the Customer • Make sure the customer understands how to use the remote control and how to turn on and operate the TracVision A5. Refer to the Quick Start Guide and User’s Guide. • Let the customer know the new height of the vehicle with the antenna installed. Activation & Operation • Don’t forget to give the customer the Activation Card! The customer must call KVH at 1-866-551-8004 to activate. • It is dangerous to watch television or operate the remote control while driving a vehicle.
Do’s and Don’ts - Antenna DO... • DO remove all wire shipping restraints from underneath the antenna. • DO get another person’s help to lift the antenna. • DO apply threadlocker (Loctite 425) to the threads of the mounting screws if you are reusing them. Be careful not to drip threadlocker on the vehicle. • DO allow at least 1" clearance between antenna and roof. • DO make sure the antenna is securely attached to the vehicle. Do’s & Don’ts • DO install all three TORX screws at each mounting bracket.
Do’s and Don’ts - Antenna (cont’d) DO NOT... • DO NOT mount the antenna to a sloped surface. • DO NOT tilt the antenna greater than 45° once the restraints are removed. • DO NOT paint the antenna. • DO NOT install the antenna on an 18-wheel, commercial truck. The excessive vibration experienced on these vehicles will impair the antenna’s ability to track the satellite. Do’s & Don’ts • DO NOT use KVH’s roof-mount kit if the roof is greater than 3/16" thick.
Do’s and Don’ts - Receiver DO... • DO install the receiver in a dry, well-ventilated area away from any heat sources. • DO allow at least 2 inches of empty space around the receiver for ventilation. • DO set up the program guide for the customer’s time zone (see page 8.11 of the TracVision A5 User’s Guide). • DO give the Activation Card to the customer. Be sure to affix the antenna serial number label to the card. Do’s & Don’ts • DO place the RF converter at least 3 feet away from the receiver.
Do’s and Don’ts - Wiring DO... • DO terminate the antenna cable with the supplied Snap-N-Seal F-connector. • DO use an Augat tool to install F-connectors. • DO maintain a bend radius of at least 3" when routing the antenna cable. • DO use high-quality video cables between receiver and monitor(s). Do’s & Don’ts • DO check the integrity of the F-connectors. Resistance measured between center conductor and shield should indicate an open circuit. • DO tighten all connections adequately.
Do’s and Don’ts - Wiring (cont’d) DO NOT... • DO NOT route the antenna cable where it may become chafed. • DO NOT disconnect the two short cables that connect from one jack to another on the receiver’s rear panel. The system will not work if these cables are disconnected. Do’s & Don’ts • DO NOT connect any other type of receiver to the TracVision system. Effective April 2004 Subject to change without notice 54-0239 TracVision A5 Shop Manual © 2004 KVH Industries, Inc., All rights reserved.
Do’s and Don’ts - Power DO... • DO remove the key from the ignition and remove the negative lead from the vehicle’s battery before connecting the receiver power cable. • DO connect the receiver power cable’s black (negative) wire to a bare metal chassis ground (such as a pillar ground screw) within 18" of the receiver.
Do’s and Don’ts - Operation DO... • DO teach your customer how to operate the remote control. For example, tell the customer to press the HUGHES button to turn the backlight on for nighttime operation. • DO give the remote control, manuals, Quick Start Guide, and Activation Card to the customer. • DO wait at least 20 seconds after powering up the antenna to move the vehicle. • DO inform your customer about the product’s limitations (blockage issues, limited to DIRECTV 101W satellite, etc.).
Do’s and Don’ts - Service DO... • DO call KVH Technical Support at 1-401-847-3327 (press 3, 5, then 1 to skip the recording) or e-mail at techs@kvh.com if you need assistance when installing or servicing the TracVision A5. • DO install tie-wrap shipping restraints before packing an antenna for shipment (see the TracVision A5 Antenna Reshipping Instructions). • DO pack the antenna in its original shipping box using the original packaging materials.
54-0239 X X Snowy DIRECTV television picture TracVision A5 Shop Manual X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Troubleshooting X X X X X • For complete troubleshooting information, refer to Section 10 of the TracVision A5 User’s Guide and the flowcharts on the following pages.
Troubleshooting Flowcharts The following pages provide step-by-step flowcharts for troubleshooting the problems noted below: • Picture freeze frames or pixels • Receiver locks up after guide download completes • Receiver turning on/off without user action • Program Guide doesn’t load and/or only odd transponders are OK • Remote control works intermittently or not at all • No picture and no DIRECTV banner • No picture but DIRECTV banner displayed Troubleshooting • Antenna is noisy Effective April 2004 Su
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart Symptom: Picture freeze frames or pixels Freeze frames or pixels Stationary 1 Is the vehicle stationary or moving? Moving Stop in a blockage-free area and wait 30 seconds Check for blockage (trees, rain, dew, etc.
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart Symptom: Receiver locks up after guide download compl etes Receiver locks up when guide download completes Remove power from the receiver for 10 seconds, by either turning off the receiver front panel switch or turning off the vehicle Restore power to the receiver Yes Done Guide loads and video is displayed? No Call KVH
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart Symptom: Receiver turning on/off without user action Receiver is turning on and off without user action Is power supply to the receiver consistently between 9 and 16 VDC? Yes No Correct the power supply problem Yes Done Check power connections and the in-line fuse Yes Problem found? Fix the connection problem or replace the fuse, then turn system back on Yes Done Problem solved? No Call KVH No Call KVH Problem solved? No
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart Symptom: Program Guide doesn't load and/or only odd transponders are OK To check signal quality on odd/even transpo nders: 1. Press MENU 2. Highlight "System Setup" then pres s SELECT 3. Highlight "Signal" 4.
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart Symptom: Remote control works intermittently or no t at all Remote control works intermittently or not at all Make sure the receiver is turned on (you heard two beeps upon power-up) Yes Problem solved? No Replace batteries in remote Done Yes Problem solved? No Check RF converter connections and relocate the RF converter, ensuring it's at least 3 feet away from the receiver and other electronic devices and is not blocked by metal Done Yes Done Problem so
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart No picture & no DIRECTV banner displayed on monitor Symptom: No picture and no DIRECTV banner 4 Is receiver front panel power swit ch turned off? Yes No Yes Is receiver beeping every few seconds? No Turn on receiver 2 Yes Yes Continuous beeping means power supplied to the receiver is less than 9 VDC.
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart To get to the Signal Quality Menu: 1. Press MENU 2. Highlight "System Setup" then press SELECT 3.
TracVision A5 Troubleshooting Flowchart The antenna makes a "whirring" sound whenever it searches for the satellite.
