A Challenge for Electronics Wizards

[JBroadaway]

Surround Sound Problem

PROBLEM: Circuit Breaker (15 amp) located in fuse panel in front of RV labeled "Radio" is popped. Surround sound will not work using house batteries. Works fine on engine batteries. I have replaced the circuit breaker but it still pops.

SWITCHES INVOLVED WITH SURROUND SOUND
a. RADIO POWER SWITCH. Located on right hand side of dash
b. SPEAKER SOURCE SELECTION SWITCH. Located in upper right hand cabinet.
c. AUX BATTERY SWITCH. Located on right hand side of dash just below RADIO POWER switch.

I cannot get surround sound if RADIO POWER switch is set to AUX. I must put the switch to MAIN and turn ignition to ACC for the system to work properly. I also cannot use the radio if RADIO POWER switch is set to AUX; I must have the switch set to MAIN and ignition set to ACC.

BOTTOM LINE: House batteries will not power surround sound or radio. I must use engine batteries with ignition set to ACC.

If I turn the AUX BATTERY SWITCH to off, I can reset the circuit breaker. When I turn the AUX BATTERY SWITCH to on, the circuit breaker immediately pops.

The surround system has worked great for over two years, this problem just started a few weeks ago.

Ideas/suggestions will be appreciated!!

[wa8yxm]

I would check out the selector switch.. Reason why:

THe switch chooses between the tripping breaker or blowing fuse (I suspect it is a fuse not a breaker since you keep saying "popped") and another, identical fuse, on another panel.

The wires TO THE SWITCH have to be good or the fuse/breaker would never hold.. it holds when MAIN is selected

The wires FROM the switch to the radio have to be good or the other, identical, fuse, in the other panel, would pop.

That leaves the switch.

[CaptBill]

Check to see if the 'AUX' side of the switch is feeding something else, in addition to the radio/surround sound amp. Someone may have picked up power on that side of the switch, for some other device.

Simple to test; remove the push-on wire connector from the back of the "aux" side of the switch (thereby removing all loads), and see if the breaker still trips ('pops'). No? Then follow the wiring that went to the switch, and see what else is connected.

[JBroadaway]

Thanks for the tips, I'll check them out and post my results. It is a breaker and it trips, not pops; so much for my knowledge of electrical problems!!!

[JBroadaway]

I finally got the surround sound problem resolved. Took it to a dealer and they found the problem ---- the cigarette lighter!!!!!! Turns out it was defective and had a direct short and is wired through the Radio circuit breaker ---- go figure!!!

[wa8yxm]

That is more common than you know.. Often the radio and the ciggy lighter are on the same breaker/fuse. And in a car power windows may be there too.. Don't ask how I know,, Ok I'll tell you.. Pontiac, on at least one model put the blasted lighter in the absolute worst possible location, coins would fall in and pop goes the fuse.