Stereo ground issue

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mumma11

Cadet
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
8
I have an aluminum boat with a 1989 suzuki 55 jet. The cranking battery is grounded to the entire boat via the motor, (I'm assuming). There are no ground wires attatched to the hull. I rewired the entire set up. I hooked up the stereo to the trolling motor battery, but it work now. Red wire to trolling battery +. Black to trolling battery -. Yellow not wired. Display light comes on, but thats it. The antenna is mounted to the console which has ground to the cranking battery. Is there something I can do with respect to the antenna to make this work, or do I wire the stereo back to the cranking battery? I don't want to be on the water with a dead battery.
 
M

mumma11

Cadet
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
8
Re: Stereo ground issue

Just edited my original. Yes powers up, sort of. Lights come on but thats all. Low popping sound from speakers. If I pull antenna plug out of the back, light goes out and it dies. I read a post stating the yellow wire could be left unhooked so lights would be off when stereo was off, but maybe it has to be connected? I was worried blue light would kill my battery.
 
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Midnight Krawler

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
37
Re: Stereo ground issue

Sounds like the radio ground is not connected and the radio is grounding through the antenna.
 
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mumma11

Cadet
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
8
Re: Stereo ground issue

I connected the yellow wire and stereo powered up. I guess I'll just pull the fuse to cut power when its not in use. Thanks for the replies.
 
brianvolt7

brianvolt7

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
423
Re: Stereo ground issue

Yellow is accessory connection to turn on and off with key. Red is battery power for clock and programming hold. Black is ground. All three must be connected.
 
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