stereo problems

[lakebum16]

Hi guys/gals, so here is my problem, when I either honk the horn or turn over the motor my speakers go silent, the stereo stays on and you can change station but no sound comes until you turn off then back on and it goes right back to playing. Boat has new wiring harness installed so every wire should be sized right.
Brian

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: stereo problems

I would check the condition of your battery, take it out and have it load tested sounds like your radio is going into safe mode due to low power, believe it or not your horn draws some pretty serious power...

 

[lakebum16]

Re: stereo problems

I'll do that this weekend, thank you for the advice.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: stereo problems

let us know how it works out, I'm no genius (don't tell my wife though) and could be wrong...

 

[lakebum16]

Re: stereo problems

Well I didn't get battery tested yet but did take boat out, battery seems to be fine for everything else, but will have it tested. Found out I can't play stereo while motor is running it does the same thing.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: stereo problems

yeah what I believe is happening is your stereo is putting itself into safe mode to protect itself due to low voltage, when you start your motor its a huge draw on your electrical system and its not a surprise to see your volts drop from 12-14vdc to 9-10vdc and your stereo will not like this at all especially the newer stereo's. I would also check your ground buss and power buss for corrosion, any connection like fuses that push in, just take them out and clean them up use an aggressive pencil eraser or wire brush, if you can use an anti oxidation agent like no-alox from lowes or HD on those connections would help once they are cleaned to keep them clean.

Either you have a battery that is already weak and ready to be replaced or a connection that is in the same shape or both! welcome to the world of boating electrical!!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: stereo problems

Hi guys/gals, so here is my problem, when I either honk the horn or turn over the motor my speakers go silent, the stereo stays on and you can change station but no sound comes until you turn off then back on and it goes right back to playing. Boat has new wiring harness installed so every wire should be sized right.
Brian

Its hard to diagnose without more info..

What year/make/model .. what boat basically. Do you have a remote wired in someplace like the swim platform ? ( Im asking because you could have a SR 440 or a little 180 thats direct connected to your bat. ).

What system do you have..how is it wired ( direct connect or multiple connect..or Ipod bases.. ) we just dont know.

YD.

 

[sschefer]

Re: stereo problems

LippC37, I think you nailed it. I think the Sony's go at 11vdc, same as Lowrance. The confusing part is that it wont come on with the motor running. If that's actually happening then it might be wired in on the wrong side of a relay. My suspicion would be a horn relay if so equipped.

 

[lakebum16]

Re: stereo problems

hi guys sorry for the delay, I had battery tested and it tested under load at 12.3 v, as far as connections being dirty it is a new wiring harness for a pontoon up to 24 ft in length, all wires should be sized right, the stereo is a pyle marine stereo, the boat is a landau 20ft pontoon with nissan motor. I need to swap batteries and try again as soon as I have time. I'll get back to you with update, thanks for all your advice.

 

[lakebum16]

Re: stereo problems

Just an update on stereo, tested old battery, tested under load at 12.3v, advanced auto said it was good, bought new battery anyway and that fixed my problem.
so thanks for the good advice, best place to come for answers.