Fitting a Radio - help please!

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:07 am

Hi there. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a radio/mp3 player on ebay. It has a 12v connector in the back of it and we nicked the plug from some old computer speaker power lead. Dad and I are trying to wire a 3 way cigarette socket so that the satnav etc can be charged from it and also we made a cigarette plug for the radio just to make it simple. Dad has tried to power it from the always live 2 pin socket on the fog light switches but the radio and Satnav didn't work. We then tried to wire it from the fuse box (both the always live and the ignition controlled one) but nothing. The only way we can get the radio system to work is directly off the battery which isn't very safe.
Has anyone else had this problem or tried to fit a radio. If so How have you done it and if I do have to wire straight off the battery, where is the best place to wire it? I dont mind having a switch for everytime I want to use it so I don't leave it switched on but we just can't work it out. Any help please?
Thanks alot

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:51 pm

How are you earthing the 3 way cig socket?

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:35 pm

Erm, I think we've tried both straight onto the body, wherever the other bit earths in the engine bay (not sure) and also where you can unscrew the twisted wire just behind the steering wheel under that glovebox.

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:28 pm

Check with a meter that you have power and earth through the cig lighter socket. The centre contact should be 12v and the side contact the earth. If this is correct then the radio should work but check you have the polarity correct. No harm in wiring radio direct to battery though if you prefer. Just make sure you put an in line fuse in the 12v supply.

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:05 pm

Modern radios like this tend to want two 12 volt feeds.
One live all the time for the memory and one switched for the main functions.
Did you get a wiring diagram with it? You may be able to find one on-line if you are lucky.

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:35 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0196852145
This is the radio I have so not the usual car radio. Just turn it on, select mp3 or radio source etc. The radio is tuned by a knob that stays in position.
Its just the power thats the problem

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:44 pm

That link is for an amp, not a radio - you will not get any sound out of it without a receiver of some sort? The 2 feeds that Mark mentioned are only required if you want the memory function of a radio to work, otherwise just one switched live feed will work the radio OK.

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:57 pm

Well i just plug a 12v connector in it plus the speakers in the back, and it works well. Any idea where to get the power from though? Straight from the battery with a fuse and switch, or what?

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:27 pm

I have to admit that I am a bit lost - you said is wasn't working and now its working well but you don't have any power on it? Also, its still not a radio so what sound do you get from it? No need for a separate switch if you can turn the "radio" on and off - just make sure the power line is fused.....

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:55 pm

Sorry about the confusion, my fault. It is a radio with its own antenna. With the flick of a switch, the ipod can be played through it. I plugged it into the mains (like now) and it works just fine with normal hifi speakers. It also works it theplug on the back is straight onto the car battery but it won't work via the fuse box.
So I suppose my question is, if I want to take the power straight from the battery, where do I attach it?
Sorry again

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:02 pm

Ah yes, I see the little Tuner knob now.... Just put the round type connectors onto the leads and fit direct to the battery clamps. However, if it works direct from battery and not from fusebox then you either are not connecting to the live side of the fusebox or your earth is bad - Have you got a test meter?

Post by **stephenpolhill** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:18 pm

We have a test meter and it is showing there is a circuit (cant remember the word

) and theres a current etc but it just doesn't give it to the cigarette lighter or radio. We have tested all we can think of. I will pass the info onto Dad to see if he can have a look at what you suggested, Thanks