AM/FM/CD Hookup question

[Jersey Bill]

My son just installed a Clairon am/fm/cd in my boat, Everything is marine waterproof including speakers. My question is he hooked it up to the ignition system. You have to turn the key to the right 1 notch to start radio. Does this hookup in any way cause any problems with the motor?. I know they have a accesory switch on a car, for what reason I don't know, but there must be one. I remember in the old days my dad used to tell me if you turned on the ign. switch without starting the motor it would burn out the points in the car, are two cycle outboards designed the same way? Looking for a quick response as we are leaving for Canada tommorrow morning and I don't want to ruin anything. Thanks in advance<br /><br /> Jersey Bill

 

[JB]

Re: AM/FM/CD Hookup question

I would move it to the battery + terminal, Bill. Just be sure it is off when you shut down the boat.

 

[mathiasmorgan]

Re: AM/FM/CD Hookup question

Just as a matter of practice, you should never hook anything into the ignition system. Particularly radios etc. You never know exactly how the radio is designed. Often they have large capacitors on their input voltage line that store electrical energy and smooth out voltage variations. The capacitor can interact badly with coils etc.. creating was is called a tank circuit.. <br />I don't think that you need to panic about it, but it would be best to re-route the wiring when you get the chance. If you really want the radio as an "accessory" that turns off when the switch is off, you'd be better off rigging a relay onto the switch to power an accessories power strip.<br /><br />George (electrical & mechanical engineer)