I recently purchased a Radio/CD player and am in the process of trying to install it. The whole thing is a bit of a mystery. I wired it to my electrical panel and it won't power on. So I disconnected the radio and wired one of my fans to the same wiring. It worked just fine. So I'm thinking I defintely have power. Am I overlooking something very simple. It seems like this should be a pretty straightforward task. I'd appreciate any ideas as I'm about ready to pitch it all overboard. Thanks, Mary
How hard can it be to install a Radio/CD?
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Car CD/radio
Mary, I think most car CD's have 2 power inputs, one is permanently connected while the other is switched through the vehicle ignition circuit which then turns the radio supply circuit on and off. If you have connected the former without the latter, then even though there is a power supply to the radio, it doesn't have the second supply to switch it on and off. Look at the wiring diagram again to see if there is an ignition lead. If so, it may refer to it in the instructions and if not, you may have to connect that lead to the power supply as well. The only drawback to doing this (and I had the same problem)is that if you turn the breaker off that feeds the radion, then you lose the radio channel memory and you have to reprogramme each time. (this is why on a vehicle there is always power to the radio)
Mary, I think most car CD's have 2 power inputs, one is permanently connected while the other is switched through the vehicle ignition circuit which then turns the radio supply circuit on and off. If you have connected the former without the latter, then even though there is a power supply to the radio, it doesn't have the second supply to switch it on and off. Look at the wiring diagram again to see if there is an ignition lead. If so, it may refer to it in the instructions and if not, you may have to connect that lead to the power supply as well. The only drawback to doing this (and I had the same problem)is that if you turn the breaker off that feeds the radion, then you lose the radio channel memory and you have to reprogramme each time. (this is why on a vehicle there is always power to the radio)
Blown fuse on the head unit?
It is very easy to blow the fuse that is actually on the head unit. That is where my moey would be... probably need a 25 cent fuse
It is very easy to blow the fuse that is actually on the head unit. That is where my moey would be... probably need a 25 cent fuse
GC is right
Most radios have a sensing wire, usually a pink wire, that tells the radio that the key is on. the other wire is to maintain the memory and for general unit use. On most radios both leads are fused or have an inline fuse so you know which ones get power. There should be a diagram in the owerns manual showing how to hook it up. One thing to keep in mind if you are using this on a boat, it will always consume power, even if it is turned off. Thats how it maintains its memory. So if you leave your boat without shore power to run the battery charger or if you are not out on a regular basis over time it will discharge your battery to a point where you won't be able to start your engine. If you put all the power leads on a switch then when you turn the power switch off you loose the stored stations. Fair winds, Gerry
Most radios have a sensing wire, usually a pink wire, that tells the radio that the key is on. the other wire is to maintain the memory and for general unit use. On most radios both leads are fused or have an inline fuse so you know which ones get power. There should be a diagram in the owerns manual showing how to hook it up. One thing to keep in mind if you are using this on a boat, it will always consume power, even if it is turned off. Thats how it maintains its memory. So if you leave your boat without shore power to run the battery charger or if you are not out on a regular basis over time it will discharge your battery to a point where you won't be able to start your engine. If you put all the power leads on a switch then when you turn the power switch off you loose the stored stations. Fair winds, Gerry
Make sure it's grounded
Car stereos are set up with a black wire that runs to the frame of the car to act as a ground. I tried hooking this ground up to my keel through the bolts and that didn't work but it does work if run to the negative battery terminal. Just make sure that's hooked up right as well.
Car stereos are set up with a black wire that runs to the frame of the car to act as a ground. I tried hooking this ground up to my keel through the bolts and that didn't work but it does work if run to the negative battery terminal. Just make sure that's hooked up right as well.
I think that was the problem
Thanks, I think that was my problem. I re-read the instructions (based on this new knowledge) and it makes sense now. Sometimes you just need an explanation in plain English - rather than the manual Thanks again, Mary
Thanks, I think that was my problem. I re-read the instructions (based on this new knowledge) and it makes sense now. Sometimes you just need an explanation in plain English - rather than the manual
Thanks again, MaryThanks for the hint
Wow, sounds like I have no good options on this one other than installing a solar battery charger. Why is it that one boat project always seems to lead to another)
Wow, sounds like I have no good options on this one other than installing a solar battery charger. Why is it that one boat project always seems to lead to another
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