Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-24-2006, 10:17 PM   #1
Gambierite
 
davida's Avatar
 
1979 31' Sovereign
vancouver , BC
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 85
Question Troubleshooting car audio system wiring?

(This isn't particularly Airstream related, except that it's _for_ an airstream =) If there's a better place to ask, please let me know!)

The 8-track player in my 79 sovereign is busted, so I'm trying to install a Clarion RDX655Dz CD deck that I ripped out of the tow vehicle (since we never listen to music in the (very loud) Suburban).

I don't have the wiring instructions for the Clarion deck, but what I managed to glean from the net is that it seems:

* the yellow lead is for the "always live" +12V line (ignition off)
* the red lead is for the "ignition on" +12V line
* the black lead is for the ground

There are lots of other leads apart from the speaker wires and antenna wire, most which I assume would be for an MD unit.

Note: The wiring harness out the back of the deck has two yellow leads, each with an in-line fuse, and both were wired together. I don't know why.

Now, I don't have a spare car battery handy right now so I'm using a cheap 300mA DC converter (two, actually: one just 12V nominally, reads more like 15V using the multimeter, and one which supposedly can do 3,4.5,6,9 and 12V).

If I connect the yellow and red leads to +12V (roughly), and the black to the negative lead, the deck turns on, asks me to push the PWR button. If there is no CD in, it just says "COMPLETE". If there is a CD in, it goes through a self-check phase, then cycles between GOOD-BYE and restarting.

It feels like it's doing a diagnostics test and failing.

If I recall correctly, the voltage I picked up in the airstream off of the connector to the 8-track player read more like 10V. I assume that's close enough to power the deck.

Could it be really finicky re: the voltage in? Is 300mA too wimpy? Alternatively, did I forget something crucial re: wiring?

Any advice? Thanks in advance!

--david
davida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2006, 12:17 AM   #2
a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
 
Safari Tim's Avatar
 
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern , California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
Images: 35
You got it right. Your 300ma is too wimpy.

When the unit trys to start up it draws to much current from that supply and resets as the voltage drops.

Why not just wire it up in the trailer and see how it works out?
__________________
-Tim
1960 International Ambassador 28'
2001 Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L 4.10
Check out my book: Restoring a Dream
Check out my Airstream book for kids!: Airstream Adventures
theVAP - Airstream Podcast
Safari Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2006, 08:53 AM   #3
Gambierite
 
davida's Avatar
 
1979 31' Sovereign
vancouver , BC
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 85
Will do...

Thanks for the reply. I'll do that. As to why not just try it, it's just that the trailer is "there" (on an island I get to on the weekends), the deck is "here", and there aren't any sources of equipment or internet connections "there". (I did try it last time, but hadn't read about the red 'ignition' lead, and so it didn't work.

Cheers,

--david
davida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2006, 09:13 AM   #4
a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
 
Safari Tim's Avatar
 
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern , California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
Images: 35
Ah, sorry about that. I forget how lucky I am to have my trailer parked next to my house.

Good luck with your radio install.
__________________
-Tim
1960 International Ambassador 28'
2001 Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L 4.10
Check out my book: Restoring a Dream
Check out my Airstream book for kids!: Airstream Adventures
theVAP - Airstream Podcast
Safari Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need wiring diagram for a 1975 26 ft Argosy ... Hayseed Airstream Motorhome Forums 13 04-07-2021 02:20 PM
wiring - water heater Craig Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 12 10-02-2002 05:03 AM
Electr. Tongue Jack Wiring?? roessler Jacks, Stabilizers, Lifting and Leveling 12 07-17-2002 11:00 AM
Flowmaster RV exhaust system rdm Airstream Motorhome Forums 2 07-09-2002 03:35 PM
TV Antenna wiring??? tenrsingr Audio, Video & TV 6 05-06-2002 02:16 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.