Community Forums

tmas · 10-03-2016, 08:58 AM

Has anyone added speakers in the cabin area that are connected to the chassis radio?

The passengers (kids) want to be able to hear the radio, but even turned up the sounds doesn't carry beyond the cab.

Bonus, would I be able to use this setup to listen to music when parked?

BFlinn181 · 10-03-2016, 10:37 AM

In my Class A, 4 speakers were installed for the dash radio, 2 just behind driver/passenger seats, 2 more in bedroom. I installed 2 speakers under the dash for better sound when driving. I installed a DPDT switch in the dashboard that turns off the 2 speakers in the bedroom and throws that sound to the new front speakers.

Check the specs on your dash radio, it probably could power 4 speakers, see if it's hooked up to 4 speakers now. If so, you could do as I did. If it only has 2 but capable of powering 4, you could add 2 speakers without issue.

Murf2u · 10-03-2016, 07:00 PM

My Itasca came this way from new, the 'front' speakers on the stereo are the cab door speakers, the 'rear' speakers are (one each) over the kitchen sink and rear of the dinette. This works great for us since a minor adjustment means you can quickly bias the sound distribution between cab and house.

We have an aftermarket system with a remote control that lives on the dinette. Very handy!

OLYLEN · 10-04-2016, 07:52 AM

My 2004 Mini Wini has sound in the living area. Would love to be able to turn it off from the bedroom so I could listen in bed before sleep. You might check with Winibago about your coach as the wires might be there.

LEN

tmas · 10-04-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murf2u

My Itasca came this way from new, the 'front' speakers on the stereo are the cab door speakers, the 'rear' speakers are (one each) over the kitchen sink and rear of the dinette. This works great for us since a minor adjustment means you can quickly bias the sound distribution between cab and house.

We have an aftermarket system with a remote control that lives on the dinette. Very handy!

Do you use the system while parked? Does it run off the chassis battery (i.e. do you need the keys in the ignition) or is it wired to the cabin?

BFlinn181 · 10-04-2016, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmas

Do you use the system while parked? Does it run off the chassis battery (i.e. do you need the keys in the ignition) or is it wired to the cabin?

Many RVs have a switch on the dash to switch from ignition controlled chassis battery to house battery. If yours doesn't, it's not difficult to install such a switch.

tmas · 10-04-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Many RVs have a switch on the dash to switch from ignition controlled chassis battery to house battery. If yours doesn't, it's not difficult to install such a switch.

I don't have this switch, very interested in how to install...

Other than the radio, what else would I/could I switch from the chassis battery to the house battery?

BFlinn181 · 10-04-2016, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmas

I don't have this switch, very interested in how to install...

Other than the radio, what else would I/could I switch from the chassis battery to the house battery?

I used a Carling switch to match other dashboard switches. The wiring is quite simple, cut the main 12 + wire to the radio. (It probably has two 12 + leads, one ignition switched, other full time 12v + for the memory presets/clock) Switch goes in the 'cut'. Extend 12v+ from house system to the other terminal of the SPDT switch.

Murf2u · 10-06-2016, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmas

Do you use the system while parked? Does it run off the chassis battery (i.e. do you need the keys in the ignition) or is it wired to the cabin?

Yes, we use it constantly while parked and yes, it runs off the chassis battery. I leave the keys in and the ignition in the accessory position. I've done this for as much as 3 days at a time while dry camping, the unit started no differently than if I hadn't done so.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 10-06-2016, 08:31 AM

tmas-

The 2016 Minnie Winnie operations manual has this to say:

Quote:

RADIO IN-DASH/REARVIEW
MONITOR SYSTEM
–If Equipped
The radio in your coach can receive AM/FM
stereo stations. It also has a CD/DVD player for
your listening enjoyment through quality high output
speakers located in several areas of the
coach.

Is yours a factory-installed radio?

tmas · 10-06-2016, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

tmas-

The 2016 Minnie Winnie operations manual has this to say:

Is yours a factory-installed radio?

It is factory installed, but I haven't noticed the speakers. I'll have to look.

I would still like to install the switch so I can use is and not have the key in the ignition and on ACC.

Thanks all!

l1v3fr33ord1 · 10-06-2016, 02:10 PM

tmas-

It might be that your coach is wired to run off both batteries.

I downloaded and read the "Radio and Backup Monitor Installation Diagram" for your coach (see this link). I was hoping to see speakers called out. It didn't help me at all. (This isn't the first time I've been baffled by Winnebago's drawings- the problem is I, not they). You may want to send a private message to iRV2 user "gtrharris." Grant knows his way around the Winnebago diagram sets.

I wouldn't assume I needed the switch until I consulted with Grant and Winnebago- and then confirmed for myself that the 12V power wiring only comes from the chassis battery.

[Digression: My former Class C was wired to power the stereo from the house battery. It makes some sense to do it that way, as leaving the radio on (accidentally or otherwise) should never leave you with a dead chassis battery. I modified the wiring to power the radio off the chassis battery. I figured it's a car radio, correct? We used a portable Bluetooth speaker to play our music wherever we sat, so didn't listen to the "car" stereo much except when underway, when chassis 12V was available. Current coach has a dash switch to switch between chassis and house batteries. End of digression]

Hey, more stuff from your Minnie Winnie manual:

Quote:

NOTE: When parked the Radio Power switch
should be set to “HOUSE”, make sure
the park brake is set prior to turning the
vehicle off or the radio may not play
DVDs.

So where is that "Radio Power switch?"

jrwpin · 10-07-2016, 03:27 PM

With your new Winnie unit, Winnie is good in their manual about covering different situations that owners might encounter. I always have to refer to the manual to remember how to get the sound system to do what I want. And it usually will if I take the time to pull out the manual and read it. I think you already have what you need, if you can figure it out, Good luck.