Can anyone tell me how to hook up a 1997 ford escort am/fm radio with cassette player to a 12 volt battery charger so I can see if it works before I install it in my 87 ford ranger pickup? I know the blue /orange wire is constant 12 volt +, the blue/black wire is switched 12 volt +, and the black wire is ground. I do know how to hook up the speaker wire so I can get sound out of the speaker. Also what does constant and switched mean? Can the black ground wire for the radio be connected to the battery charger black clip for a good ground or does both the radio black ground and the battery charger black clip need to be connected together to another metal ground???
Take both your 12V contsant and 12V switched to the positive clip of the battery charger and your ground to the black clip of the charger and it will power up.
Jazzy
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Jazzt I thank you for the info. I already have the radio installed and everything works right except my display for clock time and radio station do not light up. I have been told there is a small light bulb inside. I hope to remove the top of the radio case tomorrow and check the bulb because it sure is a bummer not being able to see what station I have tuned in and the time of day. Again I thank you for your help and email.
Take Care,
Tom
Yup.. there's a bulb in there. Probably have to get it from the dealer. I didn't think it was that hard to change. YMMV. I personally wouldn't use a battery charger to power the radio.. too much chance of a surge damaging the radio. Use a car battery instead.
Jim
Guys. Radio is installed and works great. I did install a new light bulb so the clock and radio station displays now work. It is great to see working again. I bought my new bulb from local Ford dealer parts department. The Ford PN is D4AZ-13466-A and it cost $1.06. I took old bulb with me and called to ensure they had in stock. Recommend anyone doing this job take old bulb with you to make sure you get right bulb. I thank everyone who helped me on this. It is nice to see the light display working again.
Is a 12V / 30 amp power supply good enough to bench test my HU, amp and speakers? I have an old RF 400a4 that I've never installed along with some new MB Quart components. I don't want to drag everything out to the car to test it. Just wondering if anyone thinks this power supply can be used to test my equipment. Thanks