Radio is Possessed July 03, 2019, 06:40:43 pm '89. Radio suddenly stopped working. It is getting power as the clock works. When I turn it on, it seems to turn off. Clock no longer displays and radio turns off. Fuse is good. Pulled the radio and everything is fine. Help!
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #1 – July 03, 2019, 07:41:32 pm Hi, well if it really is a 30 year old radio, it is time for a newer one! Other than that it could be powered by two different sources of power, one of which is not well connected. The clock could be running on engine battery power (and memory), and radio could be running on the house batteries. Bad speakers, not grounded well or shorted could cause a problem. In newer radios the speakers are not connected to ground at all, due to using inverting power supplies to drive more power to the speakers. To run newer radios you might have to run new wiring to the speakers, but Lazy Daze may have run a pair to each speaker, so that wouldn't be a problem. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #2 – July 04, 2019, 01:23:52 pm One might consider the age of one's house batteries...we had demonic possession of our radio and electric step several years ago...turned out the gremlins and fairies were nothing more than aged house batteries. TinaP2006 MB "Wild Thing" 3 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #3 – July 04, 2019, 03:54:38 pm Quote from: RonB - July 03, 2019, 07:41:32 pmHi, well if it really is a 30 year old radio, it is time for a newer one! Other than that it could be powered by two different sources of power, one of which is not well connected. The clock could be running on engine battery power (and memory), and radio could be running on the house batteries. Bad speakers, not grounded well or shorted could cause a problem. In newer radios the speakers are not connected to ground at all, due to using inverting power supplies to drive more power to the speakers. To run newer radios you might have to run new wiring to the speakers, but Lazy Daze may have run a pair to each speaker, so that wouldn't be a problem. RonBI sure hope not in terms of Batts. I bought the rig just under two years ago. Two weeks ago I checked the house Batts and they were bone dry with about a 1/4" bulge.What say you Mr. Ron?
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #4 – July 04, 2019, 03:56:47 pm "...they were bone dry with about a 1/4" bulge."I think you've found the problem!
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #5 – July 04, 2019, 06:40:35 pm I think that Tina and you have found the problem. Is there a date code on the batteries? that would be a useful data point. Once the batteries get to that state they are beyond attempting to resurrect them. RonB 2 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #6 – August 30, 2019, 01:15:21 pm Quote from: RonB - July 04, 2019, 06:40:35 pmI think that Tina and you have found the problem. Is there a date code on the batteries? that would be a useful data point. Once the batteries get to that state they are beyond attempting to resurrect them. RonBYet everything else that requires house batteries work just fine. E.g., lights, fans, evaporative blower....
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #7 – August 30, 2019, 02:28:01 pm Yes, motors and lights don't care about ripple on the 12 V supply. Older converters rely on the batteries to 'smoothe' the 12 volts and reduce the 'ripple' to a modest level. You need new batteries, period. And keep them supplied with distilled water this time. RonB
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #8 – August 30, 2019, 06:18:22 pm I installed the watering kit on ours, sure makes it simple to top off the water.Jon
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #9 – August 30, 2019, 10:34:31 pm Quote from: RonB - August 30, 2019, 02:28:01 pmYes, motors and lights don't care about ripple on the 12 V supply. Older converters rely on the batteries to 'smoothe' the 12 volts and reduce the 'ripple' to a modest level. You need new batteries, period. And keep them supplied with distilled water this time. RonBThanks for the info. However, Batts were not my doing so please do not make assumptions.
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #10 – August 31, 2019, 03:07:36 am "I bought the rig just under two years ago. Two weeks ago I checked the house Batts and they were bone dry" It doesn't take two years to go bone dry. It can happen in just weeks if the converter is allowed to overcharge the batteries, or if they are allowed to go dead. (edit) I think you are plugged in and so are relying on the converter to run your 'house' without the batteries. While newer multi stage converters (mid 2000's) have internal regulation and are sophisticated enough to maybe run without batteries, your older 12v. power supply is probably not much more than a transformer with a full wave bridge and choke, maybe a capacitor that doesn't work much anymore. That system relies on the battery(s) to provide regulation and control over the converter output. Without good batteries the converter will have bad voltage regulation and massive 'ripple'. (edit) The radio, and other electronics won't work correctly until you get new batteries. The fans, and other motors (water pump) may seem like they are working ok, but they aren't as well as you think. Incandescent lights might survive, florescent might not. I haven't upgraded my old converter because I have a smart solar controller to keep the batteries topped off. I still don't check my batteries for water often enough, and have found the tops of the plates dry. It can happen to any of us. RonB 4 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #11 – August 31, 2019, 11:18:12 am I am still very confused when it comes to putting DWater in my Batteries. I have read the info but I find the battery levels hard to read even with good light and a mirror. I just filled last week but really don't know how I did. A couple holes seemed over full so I used a paper towel to soak up some water then I was all worried small paper fibers had gotten into the battery holes and I don't know...would blow up(LOL) Irish, absolutely zero mechanical ability!Two questions: Can you damage battery by overfilling? In other words, should I just put in less water more often? Do all the fill holes link up somewhere or are they completely separate from one another? I was willing to pay for the installation of a battery water system but my RV guy kinda talked me out of the purchase. I might have to re-think. Also my battery drawer does not easily glide out for inspection so it is awkward to fill the far back holes. Any suggestions welcome.Sharon
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #12 – August 31, 2019, 12:02:29 pm Hi Sharon. the proper fill level is at the base of the ring above the plates. The water in each cell is separate for a reason. If over filled, no paper. Try a large size medicine dropper to transfer some fluid into an adjacent one, but it isn't that big of a deal. Biggest thing to remember is that you are adding distilled water but that isn't what is in there. What is in there is very concentrated strong sulphuric acid. It will burn you, small dropletes will burn holes in your clothing. Use gloves. Safety glasses are probably good. I don't, but as you mentioned it's hard to see in those holes. I have used clean popsicle sticks, mark the edge of the ring first, the acid will show on the stick an inch or so below the edge mark if it's got water. I use a small dixie cup to pour water in each cell. My acid eaten slides don't roll very well anymore either. I just force the shelf out. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #13 – August 31, 2019, 12:03:24 pm Quote from: HalfMile20 - August 31, 2019, 11:18:12 amA couple holes seemed over full so I used a paper towel to soak up some water then I was all worried small paper fibers had gotten into the battery holes and I don't know...You add water to batteries to top them up, but the liquid inside is actually acid. NEVER try to soak up excess with anything that can allow it to get on you - the burns could be serious! Also, as evaporation causes the electrolyte level to drop, it is only water that is lost - the acid remains. If you siphon any out, the acid concentration - and thus battery performance - will decline.Steve 3 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #14 – September 03, 2019, 12:46:52 pm Thanks to both of you! You have saved me from possible injury. I appreciate you taking the time:) 1 Likes
Re: Radio is Possessed Reply #15 – September 03, 2019, 06:30:27 pm Quote from: HalfMile20 - August 31, 2019, 11:18:12 amI am still very confused when it comes to putting DWater in my Batteries. Installing a remote watering system makes watering the batteries quick, clean and easy. It takes the guess work out about how high to fill them. using about five minutes to add water, pumping the distilled water straight from the jug.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN_QyBo9M7UAmazon.com: Flow-Rite RV2000 Pro-Fill RV Edition 2 Battery Kit: GatewayLarry 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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