Fried my stereo?

[Edge180]

Okay, I'm kinda embarrased to admit this, but when installing my battery after storing over the winter months I accidentally put the neg lead on the pos terminal and the pos lead on the neg terminal

When the neg lead kept sparking, I thought somethings wrong. I then realized my gross (and non-intoxicated for those of you wondering) error. Lucky for me I was not electrocuted and everything works except for my stereo. It's a dingbat CD player with 2 speakers. I checked the main fuse and the fuse at the stereo and they seem to be intact.

Any thoughts on how everything could be okay except for the stereo?

To maybe explain my ignorant abscent mindedness, I think I put the battery in orientated the opposite direction than previous years, so without looking I instinctively connected the cables. I'm still thanking God I'm not dead, (well actually that'd be alright, but I'd feel bad for my wife and kids).

Worst case scenario; I "must" buy a new stereo.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Fried my stereo?

Have you checked your alternator output yet?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Fried my stereo?

Have you checked your alternator output yet?

What Bruce is getting at is, in addition to your stereo woes, you may have fried the diodes in the alternator.:facepalm:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Fried my stereo?

I am worried more about the regulator.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fried my stereo?

lights don't care which way the current goes. electronic stuff cares a lot! That's why there is a great big PLUS and MINUS sign right next to the battery posts and why the POSITIVE cable is RED and the NEGATIVE is BLACK.

 

[Edge180]

Re: Fried my stereo?

Thanks for the heads up on what to look out for. The thing is, I did this three weeks ago on a Saturday. Started it and ran it up to operating temp. Shut it down. Started back up. Let it sit overnight. Took it out Sunday to the lake. Ran it to the day camp. Let it sit for a couple hours. Back to the launch. Trailered home. Started it again two weeks later (this past Sunday) to fix an impeller leak. And this is when I discovered the stereo had no power. Before this time, all appeared to be fine. No starting problems, volt meter on the gauge reads around 14v if I recall.

Did I dodge a bullet here with exception to the stereo? I would think altnerator or other electrical components would be caput by now. How would I check the output on my alternator? A multi-meter?

Thanks!