Ok, this maybe a really stupid question, but how do you listen to the radio with the boat engine not running? When I turn the key "on" I can turn the radio on but it also triggers the warning beep which as far as I can tell just keeps going till the boat is started or you turn the key back off. I looked through the manual and searched online and couldn't find anything about this. Maybe it's not possible but that doesn't seem right. Any help is appreciated, thanks!
185 Radio
- Thread starter ckonon
- Start date
Kay Lee
New Member
- Jul 27, 2010
- 215
- Boat Info
- '99 270 Sundancer DA,
'11 Venture trailer,
'01 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins HO
- Engines
- Single 7.4 Litre MPI w/Bravo 3
My Sea Ray has an accessory position on the ignition switch. Just turn it counter-clockwise and the radio will play without powering the engine electronics. If yours doesn't have that, then you'll have to change the power wiring to the radio.
Larry
Larry
CliffA
Well-Known Member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 4,712
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 340DA
Name: 'Happy Place'
4.5kW West. Generator
Purchased Nov. 2014
Fresh Water Use
- Engines
- Twin Merc. 6.2L (MPI)
640 hp (Total)
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drive Transmissions
if your ignition switch does not have an 'accessory' position it should be relatively easy to rewire the radio to have full time 12V power from the battery...normally radios have two power wires with one wire that has a 'direct power source' connected to a full time 12V source which keeps the memory for the preset stations and a clock if equipped....the second wire has a 'switched power supply' connected to a 12V source that is only activated when the ignition switch is turned on....this is the main source of power for the radio itself...if you don't have the ignition accessory position you should be able to simply connect the wire that has a 'switched power source' to a constant power source...this way the radio can be turned on anytime regardless if the ignition switch is on or not....one disadvantage of this set-up is you will have to remember to turn off the radio when not in use or it could drain the battery over time...
Last edited:
quailrunner
New Member
Definitely should work...
Dave 205
New Member
- Mar 15, 2011
- 449
- Boat Info
- 2006 205 Sport, Shorelander Trailer. Towed by 2012 Ford F-150 Supercrew 5.0 with factory tow package
- Engines
- Mercruiser 5.0 220 HP Carb w/ Alpha 1 Drive
Interesting if this is a generational thing, or if Sea Ray changed their ignition switch for 2011. I've been watching keys dangle from big chrome switches in dashboards with ACC marked to the left since the 1960's. But, my 2005 Ford does not turn left or back for accessory. Instead, you turn the key to the run position and that activates a timer that allows you to run accessories like the radio for 15 minutes if you turn the key back to off. I can see where somebody might not know to turn the key to the left!
If you have a depth gauge, the accessory position also allows that to activate, which is handy to have in case you find yourself drifting a bit while parked to the side of a lake. We have soft mud bottoms here, and the anchor sometimes has a tough time biting. I can occasionally check and make sure I'm not getting in trouble.
If you have a depth gauge, the accessory position also allows that to activate, which is handy to have in case you find yourself drifting a bit while parked to the side of a lake. We have soft mud bottoms here, and the anchor sometimes has a tough time biting. I can occasionally check and make sure I'm not getting in trouble.
Thanks for the reply's, turning the key to the left did allow me to turn the radio on. I think it was more of a matter of having to hold the power button the the radio for a few seconds to get the radio to turn on the first time I had turned the key to the left. Thanks again!