Why does my radio not work on ACC?

[VIPNiSS]

Sorry I am a newbie at this. I bought a 2004 Caravelle Interceptor 232 and it has a radio system installed. The issue I am trying to figure out is why the radio doesnt work without my key with ACC on? It only seems to work when I turn the key on? Is this a wiring issue? I have only 1 battery on the boat if that helps.

 

[QC]

Re: Why does my radio not work on ACC?

If you are talking a switch that is independent of the ignition that says ACC, it may be there for additional accessories and may be wired to nothing at this point. Common. You can find the power to the radio and wire it through the ACC switch if you want. My guess is that Caravelle wired it to run through the ignition only. Not necessarily good, but there are a lot of weird set ups on boats. Few hard rules.

 

[VIPNiSS]

Re: Why does my radio not work on ACC?

Yes thats correct. It's a ACC switch independent of the ignition. I am looking at adding a second battery and switch just to run my radio on and the other for starting.

 

[QC]

Re: Why does my radio not work on ACC?

Actually, you should add a second battery and a switch to allow charging from 1, 2 or Both. Very common. Charge both batteries when you can, and then run only one throughout the day. Then if your radio/system drags one of them down, you have the other to start. This is a typical set up. Look here for info: http://forums.iboats.com/electrical...how-tos-other-helpful-information-583533.html

Sticky top of this section.

 

[gm280]

Re: Why does my radio not work on ACC?

I think that using only one battery that it is wired correctly. That way you won't get complacent and pass the time listening to your radio and then not having enough battery capacity to crank your engine up. So they force you to have the engine running to listen... Until you do get another battery for such things, I'd leave it like it is... But that is just my warped thinking...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Why does my radio not work on ACC?

Let's verify something. Turn on the ignition, then turn OFF the ACC switch. Does the radio work? If yes, the radio is not even wired through the ACC switch. If it doesn't work in the OFF position but does in the ON position then it is. That also means the ACC switch is powered through the ignition switch which is probably ok for just the radio but the engine harness is not intended to power a bunch of accessories. If this radio system as you call it also has an external amp then that is definitely not the way it should be wired.