TV Amplifier failure and closet light not working

[H. John Kohl]

Tonight I trouble shot a problem with the TV signal being so weak.
Symptoms:
1. Living room TV weaker than Bedroom.
2. No change when amplifier turned on or off.
3. Bedroom closet 12 VDC light would not work yet when switched (on) the amplifier light went off.
Solution:
Replace blown fuse for that circuit. The key is the closet 12 VDC light would not light. The green light will be addressed in the long decision below.

Discussion:
1. Pulled the closet light and measured only 3.67 VDC on the feed line.
2. Finally went into the DC fuse panel and found the red LED lit when the light switch was on. Remember the led only lights when there is a demand for voltage and the fuse is blown.
3. Why did the amplified green light come on? The Red LED fed 3.67 volts to the service with the fuse blown. The 3.67 volts is all the voltage needed to light a LED. So the amplifier was not getting the full 12 VDC to power it but the 3.67 volts was enough to light the green LED.
4. The amplifier switch, 12 VDC outlet and coax connector is only a 12 VDC source to power the true RF amplifier in the Wineguard bat wing.
5. In reality when the closet light switch was turned on it drew all the 3.67 voltage and caused the light to go out. When the light switch was off then the green LED would illuminate. Remember the amplifier switching unit and the closet light are wired in parallel.

6. It is believed the technician blew the fuse when working on a cable problem.