Electrical disruption

P

patrick16

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
60
Reaction score
1
Points
8
I have a 2003 Gulfstream. I just installed a new Sony radio/stereo. Just after that, I accidentally drained my batteries. Since they were a few years old I replaced them.

Now when I turn on an electrical accessory like my spot light, the radio sound shuts off for 3 or 4 seconds.

I am thinking I may have wired something incorrectly. Does anyone have any experience with this?
 
I've experienced similar problems in the past and in my case narrowed it down to one of two causes. First, available voltage coming from the battery to meet the minimum power required for the stereo would take a hit as something else (like a spotlight) coming on caused a spike in demand on the electrical system temporarily impacting power available to other users which caused the stereo to cycle off and on. Second, and somewhat embarrassing to admit, I had a slightly loose terminal connection that was affecting power flow. In the first case, with new batteries I wouldn't think this would be a problem unless they're either 'undersized' for the amount of load on the system or you've been on battery power only for a while and they've run down a bit. In the second case, I now make it a habit to pull out a wrench and check the battery terminal connections routinely. Good luck.

Brett
 
patrick16 said:
I have a 2003 Gulfstream. I just installed a new Sony radio/stereo. Just after that, I accidentally drained my batteries. Since they were a few years old I replaced them.

Now when I turn on an electrical accessory like my spot light, the radio sound shuts off for 3 or 4 seconds.

I am thinking I may have wired something incorrectly. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Click to expand...

The stereo turns off because its supply voltage gets too low. It is low because the extra inrush current of the spot light causes excessive voltage drop. That voltage drop is caused by either bad connections or undersized wires. If the problem didn't happen before replacing the batteries, then the wires are probably sized OK.
If the problem started right after installing new batteries, there is a probability though small that the batteries are bad but more likely is that some connection was messed up. Look especially close at grounds, and make sure that there is a cable directly connecting the two negative battery terminals. Check that cables are good ( no corroded ends) and lugs are clean ( sand if corroded).
Also make sure that there are no wing nuts used on the batteries. Use machine nuts only. You may have a no so good connection or two at the buss bar/ fuse panel.
The problem shouldn't be too hard to fix.
 
Like they said, the voltage is dropping too low when you use the spotlight at the same time as the stereo.
Spotlights (especially with incandescent or halogen bulbs) draw a lot of current and will drop the voltage on the DC bus.
These crazy high watt stereos do the same.
Feeding them with heavy gauge wire direct from the battery will help. (Less voltage drop on the wire)
I suspect the spotlight thing existed as soon as you installed the stereo

Don't know your battery config but...
You stated that you JUST installed the stereo and JUST ran your batteries down. Coincidence?
Be careful if you are hanging out running a high watt stereo, running a starting battery low and then putting your switch on BOTH and running them both down.
When you put the switch on BOTH, you put a low battery in parallel with a good one and the bad one proceeds to drain the good one until they even out.
 
I guess the question is: Did this problem start after the new stereo was installed or did the stereo work OK all along until the batteries were changed.
 
Sounds like a connection to me. Check tightness of both positive and negative connections. You may need to test or swap the batteries as one may weak under load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.