stereo install in a bj40

[mike]

I am trying to install a 12 volt stereo into 24volt bj40. I am taking the 12 volt power supply from the passenger side battery and using a 24volt relay to work with the ignition key--so the radio will shut down when the ignition is in the off position. Stereo works fine till I try to install into the tuffy center console. Then, the metal case of the stereo archs withe metal of center console. What am I doing wrong?
Thx inadvance

 

[Greg_B]

I am trying to install a 12 volt stereo into 24volt bj40. I am taking the 12 volt power supply from the passenger side battery and using a 24volt relay to work with the ignition key--so the radio will shut down when the ignition is in the off position. Stereo works fine till I try to install into the tuffy center console. Then, the metal case of the stereo archs withe metal of center console. What am I doing wrong?
Thx inadvance

1st thing is you are tapping into one of the batteries for 12V's so you WILL sulphate one battery and overcharge the other. You will be replacing batteries on a consistant basis. If you take an equal 12V draw off the other battery at the same time...then things are good. If not, then get a 24V to 12V converter and do it right. Search "converter" for lots of reading.

hth's

gb

 

[mike]

Greg,
It should still operate from one battery, albeit better with a inverter. Any ideas on why the stereo is arching in the console?

 

[Stone]

Greg,
It should still operate from one battery, albeit better with a inverter. Any ideas on why the stereo is arching in the console?

Hi Mike:

I don't quite understand what you mean by "it should still operate from one battery, albeit better with a inverter"? Your truck certainly won't start with just the high side battery, and an inverter makes 120V AC out of 12 or 24V DC.

If you have a voltmeter, the first thing I would do is to check your stereo chassis to see if it is getting live current for some reason. Hopefully, when you hooked up the 24V relay to your ignition, you also supplied it with 12V on Pin 30 to supply your stereo, and have not for some reason applied 24V to the switch wire of your stereo. Doing this does funny things and could account for the weird arcing that you describe.

If you have supplied the appropriate power to your stereo harness and have grounded it properly, and you are still sensing current in the stereo chassis, then there might be some sort of short going on internally. It could be something as simple as a loose piece of metalic debris inside the stereo itself, or a loose wire. When the stereo is mounted on the dash, it sits horizontally. But when you mount it on the Tuffy Console, it sits vertically, right? Maybe this position jiggles the wire or metalic debris enough to cause a transient short? I don't know, just thinking through what I would rule out if I were in your situation.

Bottom line is, get either a Solar Converter or another reliable step down voltage converter to supply your 12V accessories with clean power without killing your battery bank. Second, if you have supplied your stereo wiring harness with the appropriate 12V to the appropriate leads, and have grounded it to the chassis, then there should be no arcing at all...use your voltmeter. Third, if you have accidentally supplied 24V to the IGN wire of the stereo, and 12V to the BATT wire, then current will backflow through your stereo and cause strange and wonderful stuff to happen.

Good luck.