Amplified Radio Antenna

Riwright · 11-07-2012, 10:23 PM

I happened to spot this little widget (see picture) along the top of the front shell. It's the black wand-like thing with the wires attached.

The former owner identifies it as an amplified radio antenna. (We don't have a radio in the trailer).

It has a little red light that is on at all times. Since I park on a lot with no power I am concerned about parasitic drains. I pulled every fuse in the box including the two 30A main fuses and the light stayed on. The only thing that got it to shut off was the main battery disconnect.

Is there a way to disconnect this thing? Using the main battery shutoff isn't always convenient for me and I try to keep my parasitic drains to a minimum.

scrubjaysnest · 11-08-2012, 04:52 AM

Look at your owners manual. The wiring diagram will show the lead. On ours it is a purple wire inside the refrig compartment.

**Bill** · 11-08-2012, 09:06 AM

Sometime in the last couple years, Commodor47 did a real nice writeup on how the antenna is wired. The Advanced Search tool will locate it for you.

Bill

ThePair · 11-11-2012, 11:09 PM

I wired that thing into the aux lead from the radio, so it only operates when the radio is on. I then hardwired a switch into both radio power leads, so when I want it OFF, the radio and antenna draw no power whatsoever.

Overkill for someone who only camps with electric, granted, but I'm planning for the future...

As it stands, it's not the hardest mod in the world, just takes running a few wires to the proper places. As I recall, the purple power wire runs behind the fridge, so it was a matter of cutting into that wire and getting it connected to the proper aux power output from the radio. Look to the wiring guides for help.

Riwright · 11-12-2012, 03:11 PM

Thanks for the data. Now that I know where to start, I'll nose around the wiring some more.

Odd thing is that still lights up when I pull the fuse for the radio.

ThePair · 11-12-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riwright

Thanks for the data. Now that I know where to start, I'll nose around the wiring some more.

Odd thing is that still lights up when I pull the fuse for the radio.

That's because in the stock configuration it gets the power from a different source/lead than the radio. Totally different circuit. That's why some of us wired them together, since it makes more sense... go figure!

**Joesjunk** · 11-13-2012, 06:15 AM

I have a 3124 with the AM/FM/TV/CD/DVD installed. I was having trouble with the battery running down when the TM is in the garage. Found that the factory installed radio draws 1/4 amp when powered off. The power is used to keep the presets alive. I installed a lighted power switch next to the radio to stop the current drain. Keep that in mind with electronics in the TM.