On 9 May 2005 09:08:22 -0700, "T39" wrote:

Thanks for the post...
The boat came wired. From what I can tell it looks like it is wired
correctly. I actually ran a straight test wire to the battery to hook
up this new receiver, and did the same with the other AM/FM receiver I
bought. The thing still wouldn't power on...

Well, that's it then - the radio gods hate your guts.

I'm finding it hard to understand why it won't work directly to the
battery. If it's not a fuse, the thing is directly wired to power,
the only other issue would be voltage mismatch and I don't think that
is an issue.

When you figure it out, so let us know what it was.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

Sorry - thing = receiver. I can't get either receiver to power on.
Both receivers are brand new.

On 9 May 2005 09:16:54 -0700, "T39" wrote:

On the DUAL marine receiver there's just one big wire bundle that you
connect to the back of the radio with a connector. The two power wires
(red and yellow) come with fuses, that are intact.

The second AM/FM receiver I tried is a car stereo (brand new) that has
two connectors: one for speakers and one for power (red and yellow),
ground (black) and power antenna.

Normally, red/yellow is for the clock/memory or accessory if it is
following the EIA standard - there should be a solid red wire for
radio positive.

Later,

Tom

Thanks for your post...

Do you have a multimeter? See if you're getting power at the radio,
don't
just assume it. Next, meter the boat's speaker wires to make sure
they're
o.k.

I'm going out to get one after work today So far I have used the
depth finder to make sure the wire is hot. The depth finder comes on
when I run it off of the same wire... but I guess that doesn't tell me
anything... or does it?

Also, try leaving the yellow wire disconnected when hooking up the red
and
black wires, then tie the yellow to +12v AFTER you've hooked up main
power.

I have tried this...

wrote:
1) Establish that you have voltage at the battery. As other
accessories
powered by the same battery are reported to be working, that is a
safe
assumption in your case.

2) Test for voltage where the wires terminate at the stereo. If you
have sufficient voltage and a complete circuit to that point, the
problem is then either an internal problem in the radio or (possibly)
lack of proper grounding. Do this test even if you are using two
short
pieces of wire to connect directly to the battery for a test. Don't
just assume you're getting power because a
3 ft wire is connected directly to the battery- there could me an
internal problem with the wire. If you're using cheap, solid
"automotive wire" vs. proper, stranded "marine cable" the chance of
an
internal problem goes up a lot- particularly with an older wire.

3) If you have power at the battery but no or insufficient voltage
where the wires terminate at the radio, you have a dirty, loose, or
improper connection between the radio and the battery. If this is the
case, start at the battery once again and trace the wires to any buss
bars, circuit breakers, etc that may be between the battery and the
radio. Test for voltage. When you find a connection without power or
proper voltage, look carefully at that connection, and look again at
the connection immediately preceding it in the circuit.


Thanks for your detailed instructions... this is a very old boat, and I
was wondering what you think is the best way to ground this radio.
Should I just connect ground to any metal part of the boat or is there
anything in particular I should be looking for?

Thanks

Sorry - thing = receiver. I can't get either receiver to power on.
Both receivers are brand new.


****************

1) Do they need to be grounded in order to power up, and are they?
Check the installation instructions.

1a) Are you connecting the wires to the proper terminals?

2) Odds of having a bad wire or poor connection to the battery are
higher than having *two* brand new receivers that won't work. Test for
voltage at the end of your test wires. If you don't have a meter, wire
something else that is known to be working to the end of the same two
wires and see what happens.

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On 9 May 2005 09:16:54 -0700, "T39" wrote:

On the DUAL marine receiver there's just one big wire bundle that
you
connect to the back of the radio with a connector. The two power
wires
(red and yellow) come with fuses, that are intact.

The second AM/FM receiver I tried is a car stereo (brand new) that
has
two connectors: one for speakers and one for power (red and yellow),
ground (black) and power antenna.

Normally, red/yellow is for the clock/memory or accessory if it is
following the EIA standard - there should be a solid red wire for
radio positive.

Later,

Tom


Correct, and I'm sorry for the confusion: on both receivers I have two
seperate wires... one is solid red and one is solid yellow. Like you
said, solid read for positive and solid yellow for accessory.

Sorry - thing = receiver. I can't get either receiver to power on.
Both receivers are brand new.


Brand new and they don't have an MP3 player?


wrote:
2) Odds of having a bad wire or poor connection to the battery are
higher than having *two* brand new receivers that won't work.

Agreed. There's something fishy in the wiring here, especially likely
since the OP says it's an old boat.

.... Test for
voltage at the end of your test wires. If you don't have a meter, wire
something else that is known to be working to the end of the same two
wires and see what happens.


If you don't have a multimeter, get one... and read the instruction
manual. It's a fundamental tool for anybody who owns a boat with any
electrical equipment... not a bad tool for a home owner to have, either.
They're not expensive. Trying to troubleshoot without a multimeter is
like trying to drive nails without a hammer. It can be done, but it's
slow & painful

Fair Skies
Doug King

Should I just connect ground to any metal part of the boat or is there
anything in particular I should be looking for?

****************

A ferrous metal part of the boat that ultimately contacts the water.

Does your boat have a grounding strip or buss? Did you pull out an
existing radio? If so, reuse the same groung location. If all else
fails, the engine contacts the water through
the shaft, etc.

wrote:
Should I just connect ground to any metal part of the boat or is
there
anything in particular I should be looking for?

****************

A ferrous metal part of the boat that ultimately contacts the water.

Does your boat have a grounding strip or buss? Did you pull out an
existing radio? If so, reuse the same groung location. If all else
fails, the engine contacts the water through
the shaft, etc.

I don't know if it does. What does a particular grounding strip or
buss look like? I didn't pull out an existing radio, I actually
created a (rather big) glove compartment in which I have mounted the
radio.