Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting problem!

[Morgueman]

OK...I admit it...My electrical skills are bordering on nil, but hey...I gave it a shot anyway; installing my brand new VHF radio (Standard Horizon GX1700).

A little background - A few months ago, I installed my fishfinder by connecting (under the helm) its red & black wires to red & black wires that I ran to the helm area from one of the batteries in the engine compartment (with one fuse I installed in the red wire near the battery).

Today, I set out to install my new VHF radio. I thought..."Great - I'll just remove about a half-inch section of the wire insulation on each of the "battery-to-helm area" wires, wrap the matching-colored wires from my new VHF onto the exposed wire sections, cover each of these "splices" with electrical tape, and consider the job a "no brainer."
I was truly happy when the unit powered on, and seemed to function perfectly. :smt038 Here's the problem though - Every time I power the unit down by pressing the power button, it won't come on again....unless I disconnect and reconnect the power source (either at the battery disconnect switch, or by removing & reinstalling the fuse that came pre-embedded within the red wire of the VHF radio (ie. under the helm). Also, it's interesting that when I restart the power source, the VHF turns on without me pushing any buttons...I would think that I have to push the power button to start it up. (The fishfinder is functioning normally.)

So what gives? :smt100 Anybody know?

Thank you,
Morgueman (Eric)

 

[Pyrojodge]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

I do not know your problem out right but please don't use electrical tape on items such as this. Butt connectors and shrink wrap will keep you and the electronics safe.... My 2 cents.

 

[Summer Fun II]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

I'll just remove about a half-inch of the wire cover on each of the fishfinder wires, wrap the matching colored wires from my new VHF (Standard Horizon GX1700) onto the fishfinder wires,

Every time I power the unit down, it won't come on again....unless I pull the fuse that came pre-embedded within the red wire of the VHF radio,

Thats a BIG No No. You're feeding power to both units when one doesn't want it.

Thats why they are f'in up.

 

[AFD]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

Those wires are only rated to carry enough power for themselves. You are essentially doubling the supply through the wires for your fish finder.

If you need more available power install a distribution block. Very simple to do and use heavy gauge wire both positive and ground then jump off of it . Makes for a nice clean install too.

And as stated before. Heat shrinks and butt connectors. Not electrical tape. Takes a little longer but keeps out corrosion and only costs a couple of bucks.

 

[Bob & Sue]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

And as stated before. Heat shrinks and butt connectors. Not electrical tape. Takes a little longer but keeps out corrosion and only costs a couple of bucks.

I don't know about your VHF but some like my VHF & Chartplotter in the setup screen have an auto on when power is supplied if it's set that way it won't power down if it's hardwired to a battery. I have them on toggle switches at the helm with correct wire size and fuse.
Read your manual or go online and read it.

 

[TimTech]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

I'll just remove about a half-inch of the wire cover on each of the fishfinder wires, wrap the matching colored wires from my new VHF (Standard Horizon GX1700) onto the fishfinder wires, cover each of these "splices" up with electrical tape, and consider the job a "no brainer."

As others have mentioned, you shouldn’t splice into your fishfinder’s power leads. By doing so, you are adding your VHF radio current draw (5 Amp max) to the draw of your fishfinder (? Amp) over the fishfinder’s wires that were designed for ? Amp only. With both units on and while transmitting on the VHF, you might blow the fuse if your tap is after the fishfinder fuse. If you tapped before the fuse, you could melt the wire (fire hazard). Furthermore, striped insulation and twisted wires with tape will only lead to headache down the road especially in the damp environment of a boat. Try to use good heat shrink terminals (example http://www.delcity.net/store/Heat-Shrink-Ring-Terminals/p_804389) and have each electronic unit wired directly to a fuse block and grounding block.
Your owner’s manual shows no indication of an auto power-on setting. Make sure to have the VHF unit’s microphone attached during your testing since it also has a power button. DO NOT KEY UP THE MICROPHONE IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN ANTENNA ATTACHED. Without the antenna load, you reflect the output back into the radio finals and can burn them out. If your voltage at the radio is within spec and your VHF unit still powers on strangely after your mic is connected, chances are, something is wrong with the unit.

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

OP here...Thanks for all the suggestions! I've taken alot of them to heart, and made some changes.

1. I disconnected the VHF radio wires from the fishfinder wires. Instead, I connected the VHF wires to an available circuit on the fuse block under the helm. I crimped "Female Connectors" on to the wires, and then slipped these connectors onto available circuit "blade" and one of the ground blades within the fuse box.

2. I also connected my new antenna to the VHF radio, though it's not mounted to the hull yet (just leaning upright in the cockpit for now). I hadn't had the antenna connected to the VHF radio previously, and unfortunately, I did try the handheld mic (which appears permanently attached).

3. I was sure to hold the power button down for at least 3 seconds, and this didn't turn the unit on either.

Then I turned the battery disconnect switch to power it up, and JUST AS BEFORE. The VHF immediately turned on (automatically), and every time I shut it down, it won't come on again (...until I cut the power to the unit -- either at the fuse or at the battery disconnect). I was sure to hold the power button down for at least 3 seconds.

I called Standard Horizon, and the tech had me do a reset, but that didn't change anything either. He thinks the unit is bad. Grr...

Please...more thoughts...I really appreciate it.

 

[AFD]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

Bad unit...they make a pill for that.




I would just send or take it back.

 

[Bob & Sue]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

Look on page 103 of your manual ( from standard horizons site ) it may be set to power on your internal GPS from the factory set it to off, that may fix it.

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

Look on page 103 of your manual ( from standard horizons site ) it may be set to power on your internal GPS from the factory set it to off, that may fix it.

Thanks, but I want use of the internal GPS...At this time, I don't have a separate Chartplotter/GPS device. The internal GPS is why I picked this model of VHF radio.

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

I apologize, but I edited my original post...The splicing for the VHF radio wires was not done on the stock fishfinder wires (as I originally reported), but actually on "long wires" that I had run from the battery to the helm area (which I connected to the fishfinder wires). So the splicing for the VHF radio was closer (to the batteries) on the "long wires" than the location where the fishfinder wires were connected to "long wires."

Hopefully, this makes sense. Frankly, I don't think it makes much difference, because I've since rewired the VHF radio wires to the existing fuse block under the helm, and my problem (power on using the power button is inoperative) persists. Perhaps my original set-up fried something in the unit???

 

[1956olds]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

I usually have to hold the on off button(push and hold volume knob) for 3-5 seconds before my new gx2150 will turn on or off.Other than that no problems at all.

 

[Morgueman]

Re: Non-techie installs VHF radio...Surprise, surprise...There's an interesting probl

I "sort of" hate when this happens...So I go out to the boat after lunch, and the unit is on (I can't remember for sure if I left it on or not). Anyway, the unit is working perfectly!!!!! I can shut it off and then on using the power button...No problem. It really bugs me that I/we didn't actually determine the cause and therefore have no idea if it will happen again. The fact that it's working now...Does that give any clues as to the root cause.

Thanks,
Eric​