Civic - 12V Continous on radio connector?

[Gerard]

Hello,

I've got a Honda Civic VTi from 94 and am trying to install a radio/cd player.

The Swithced 12V works perfectly, but the 12V (continu) only has 0.5V standard or 4.5V when I turn the key to ignition..

Everything worked perfectly until I hooked up my amplifier and turned up the volume. After that, the 12V (continue)
dropped..

Can anyone tell me what the most likely cause of this problem is? Also, where do I need to look to correct this?

 

[M.C. Tee]

run a direct wire to the battery, then you have your continous 12v

 

[N.E.Ohio Bob]

Be very carefull to put a fuse in the line as close to the battery as you can if you decide to do this. A short would make a very hot wire very quickly. bob

 

[John D.]

You could run a thick-gauge power wire directly from the + terminal of the battery to your radio. Put an in-line fuse-holder in it of course and use a fuse properly rated amp-wise for your radio (or whatever else you want to connect). Connect the ground wire for the radio to a good chassis/body screw nearby. Of course, power is "always on" in this wire but when you turn the radio off there shouldn't be any battery drain.

That way you bypass whatever else is going on and you get all the power you need, especially for amps.

Years ago, I did the same thing on my '73 Datsun (still running) except more elaborately: I ran said fused power wire to a second fuse block (I made myself) which made it much more convenient for connecting more devices later on to a power source...no hunting for a connection each time I added something, just go to the fuse block. And, each device can be fused separately and correctly right there at its point of connection to power. My two power amps (front and rear speaker amps) are connected to this block.

You can also make a ground "bus" connector so you have just one (the same) grounding point for all your devices, too.

Good luck.

John D.

 

[N.E.Ohio Bob]

Someplace in that circuit is a resistor. Feel like looking for a wiring diagram ? bob

 

[M.C. Tee]

oops, forgot to mention that, yes, always put in a fuse

 

[John D.]

1. You're welcome.

2. Don't know. Wouldn't do it that way.

Good luck,

John D.