The Teleplus TV aerial can be found fitted to many caravans and motorhomes by the original supplier. Unfortunately they do not sell spare roof rubber seal boots which only seem to last few years. There solution is for you to buy a new mast unit complete at over £100!
Our caravan was fitted with a Teleplus X2 TV aerial and had the problem of drips of water going down the mast to inside. Initially a container was used to collect and then when getting on the roof to check it was found that the rubber seal had perished badly. The more you look on the internet at forums the more you find people with this problem and frustrated that you cannot buy a new rubber seal to fit. The Vision Plus arial you can fit has a seal available for £15 on eBay, but of course a different size so no good for the Teleplus.
How to fit a new seal
- Before starting I would suggest that you check you can loosen the 4 screws in item 10 below first. They were very tight and difficult to do. I have now added a list of tools required at the bottom of the page.
- Disconnect the coax lead inside from the amplifier unit by unscrewing the plug.
- Remove the 2 small screws on the black control handle at the bottom of the mast inside. Remove it by sliding down the cable.
- Remove the 2 metal parts that were inside the handle, noting how they refit. They have grease on them as they operate the vertical shaft to the outer gearbox.
- On the roof, disconnect the coax from the underneath of the aerial
- Remove the aerial from the mast by undoing the 4 screws.
- Go back inside and loosen the locking ring for raising the mast. Push the mast as high as possible, which means the very bottom with the grease on it will go up nearly into the ring. Note that due to the mast design, it is not possible to push the mast out through the roof hole (you hear a clonk as it stops partway inside against an obstruction).
- Back on the roof, cut away the old perished rubber seal. You then see the inner plastic base unit. According to the manufacturer’s manual, this is secured with 4 screws and silicone sealant. Ours had no screws and what looked like Sikaflex – great to water seal but to remove it completely, there was a risk of damage to the roof.
- The mast unit is fitted in a 42mm hole.
- Next, you have to remove the gearbox at the mast top.Undo the 4 long 3mm setscrews which screw into nyloc nuts. A small/medium Phillips screwdriver is needed for this.The top half will not come off yet!
- Undo the cross setscrew with a standard Phillips screwdriver and remove it and the nut.
- Notice that the outer parts that swivel lock on plastic lugs to stop going past vertical or horizontal.
- Gently using a flat medium screwdriver, pry the 2 end outer parts outwards about 5mm. When they are far enough, the top middle part will now lift off easily. Old plastic can be brittle, so ease a small bit at a time, 180 degrees apart on each face.
- Thread the coax cable out through the lower casing. To do this, remove the satellite-type coax plug. Have a spare available in case you have to cut the plug off.
- Note the position of the vertical gear and the gearwheel inside.
- Undo the 2 screws that secure the lower part onto the mast.
- Then lift it off.
- Test the fit of your new rubber gaiter over the mast shaft.
- Clean up the area around the mast plastic ring to the roof and put sealant around it.
- On your new rubber gaiter, cut off the face that a securing clip would be used for fitting it to a steering linkage. If left, it would keep the gaiter away from the roof.
- Slide down over the mast your new steering rubber gaiter and keep it above the sealant area.
- Fit the lower half of the gearbox housing, threading the aerial cable through it to the outside.
- Line up the vertical inside gear rack in the slot in the plastic lower housing.
- Refit the gearbox top and bottom covers, ensuring it is connected properly – just 2 screws can be used without tightening. DO NOT push in the 2 ends again at this stage in case you have to open up the gearbox again. You will have to lower the mast position slightly to refit the items in 2 and 3.
- Test the gearbox works correctly again, turning the aerial mount horizontally and vertically. It is easier if a second person helps turn inside whilst you are outside.
- Let the first “bellows” area sink onto the sealant in item 20.
- Fill the gap between the existing sealant at the bottom up to the first bellows section for a good seal.
- Push down the rubber gaiter onto the roof and then fill the space between the roof and the first area of bellows.
- You must not allow the seal to turn until the sealant has set (allow 24 hours).
- Once you have checked the seal is secured in place by moving the mast up and down vertically you can complete the rebuild.
- Push back in the sides of the 2 halves. Refits the long large Philips setscrew and tighten.
- Fit original or new satellite type coax plug.
- Put back on the Teleplus TV aerial and secure with the 4 screws.
- Screw back in the satellite type coax plug
I have found that the rubber gaiter I purchased is very tight on the mast and it expands and contracts over the gaiter bellows as raised/lowered. Using Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on the shaft has not allowed it to slide easily. It is however water tight!
Teleplus aerial design pictures
- Length [mm]: 99
- Material: Thermoplast
- Fitting Position: Wheel Side, Front Axle Left, Front Axle Right
- Inner Diameter 2 [mm]: 27, 88 (tight on mast shaft)
- Weight [kg]: 0,066
- Item number: 14908
- Manufacturer: FEBI BILSTEIN
- EAN number: 4027816149088
Tools required
Small and medium size Philips screwdriver. ( I think it was a medium size Philips to undo the gear box at the bottom)
Large Pozidrive/philips screwdriver for removing the aral top section.
Sealant – either Sekaflex 221 or suitable caravan waterproof sealant.
Washing up liquid! Small amount neat on your finger allows smoothing of sealant and it does not stick to you.
Rags/kitchen roll for cleaning.
Window scraper blade with handle . (Stanley window scraper) for cleaning old sealant off the roof.
Flat wood chiesel as an alternative to hand scrape sealant.
Stanley knife to cut gaiter to size required.
Grease (Vaseline) to put on shaft for gaiter to slide easier.
Allow for new coax satellite plug to fit.