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Old 12-30-2012, 05:38 PM   #1
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1972 25' Tradewind
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conflict adding a radio

I am trying to add a radio i9n the front bulkhead. I had it hooked up informally in that area and was fine. Now, for some reason, it won't work when the front overhead light is on or the scare light. There is some kind of conflict.......

doesn't happen for door light or middle overhead are on.

Any ideas?

Happy New Year! Let's Stream!

Steve
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Old 12-30-2012, 06:11 PM   #2
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With the overhead or scare light turned ON, measure the voltage on the radio GROUND lead (that you probably have connected to the overhead or scare light wiring. Make sure your volt/ohmmeter negative/ground test probe is connected to a hard ground (screw head or known grounding point).

If the radio GROUND wire measures +12 volts, that lead is connected to the +12 volt wire to your overhead or scare light. When you have the light(s) turned OFF, the ground path for your radio is going through the light filament to the ground for the light fixture; and the radio probably works. When you turn the lights ON, the +12 volts going to the light fixture is also connected to the radio ground lead; and your radio will stop working.

If the above description matches what you experience, you just need to switch the radio GROUND lead from the +12 wire to the GROUND wire on the light fixture.

If this doesn't work. Let us know, and we can provide alternate troubleshooting instructions...
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Old 12-30-2012, 07:48 PM   #3
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Thanks!

I will try that assessment and solution out next weekend. Happy New Year!
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Old 12-30-2012, 07:54 PM   #4
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Are you installing a radio in the front overhead with original wiring?
I pulled up the wiring diagram for my ’72. A typical positive side, common ground schematic of the era. Power was supplied from the charge line (~+12vdc). I would suspect the ground was carried over to the Control Panel and from there to a ground on the shell.
It would have been common practice to connect a radio directly to the battery + line to help in reducing interference.
Phoenix is probably correct that you have a ground problem. I’d make sure you have a good, un-switched, +12 volt connection and add a dedicated ground directly to the shell. There are no good ground points in the plastic overhead that I know of. Don’t trust the ground side of the “elevator” lights in the overhead unless you know it’s solid.

Good Luck,
Tom.
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Old 12-31-2012, 09:22 AM   #5
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You Streamers are the greatest! Thanks! Steve

After struggling with this electrical conumdrum for several hours, I now have a path towards a solutiuon.
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Old 01-05-2013, 04:27 PM   #6
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Hey I am back....and want to share what I have found. It seem that when the front overhead is off I have a full 12V to all front bulkhead wiring systems. I tested it using the wiring loom ground and attaching to a screw from th front running lights.

Then when I turn on the front overhead the voltage drops to a bit over 10V to the loom and the radio won't work.

I tried running a ground to the overhead but no change.

Any thoughts?

Thank you,
Steve
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Old 01-05-2013, 05:11 PM   #7
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10v radio

Just a shot in the dark, but could you have it wired in series with the light or lights? Where did you pick up the wire to feed the radio?
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Old 01-05-2013, 05:29 PM   #8
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I have wiring looms in the front for both the radio and the system monitor, w/several hot leads. another step in this process is that I just replced the front overhead lights w/LED (48 warm) and now the radio stays on, but the overhead flickers when it is. crazy huh?
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Old 01-05-2013, 05:42 PM   #9
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Sounds like a poor connection somewhere, too much resistance.
The same as adding a resistor to lower voltage for LED.
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Old 01-24-2013, 09:27 AM   #10
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I discoveref it was a blown ground fuse block near converter
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