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Old 11-24-2018, 09:11 AM   #1
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Radio Switch in Berkshire

Does anyone know what this switch does and, more importantly, the technical side of how it works/is wired?
When I first bought my Berk, I jumped to the conclusion that the dash radio (Magnadyne MC4-LCD) would not play unless the ignition key was in the ACC position. Thinking that was a silly situation where I couldn't listen to the radio while parked at a campsite, I immediately went into "mod mode" and ran a continuous power source to the radio. I also installed the Magnadyne subwoofer, which only turns on when the radio is actually turned on (supposedly).
I have a sneaking suspicion that, had I asked the above question a year ago, I would have learned that the Radio Switch allows for the use of the radio without the ACC being on (or maybe switching to house batteries?).
The reason all this is now an issue is that I have now discovered that I have a rather substantial parasitic draw on my chassis batteries and I'm thinking it has to do with the continuous power to the radio and/or sub woofer. The parasitic draw is much more than a typical draw to maintain memory/clock/etc.
Any help on the Radio Switch and how to reconfigure my "mod" (or "configure it back to they way it was, if that accomplished what I needed it to) would be appreciated.

RV Hack #126: "Easier to ask a dumb question than fix a stupid mistake"
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:13 AM   #2
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Sorry - it always helps to actually post the photo!
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:17 AM   #3
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Okay, not sure if that was a website issue or OE, but that reply posted by itself!
Here's the photo (I hope - having trouble getting the link to work):
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:18 AM   #4
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You're sneaking suspicion is correct.

Sorry I can't help reconfigure since I don't know how you modded it.
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:19 AM   #5
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I have a switch like you describe on my Dynamax Force. It switches the power lead between chassis batteries and house batteries.
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:22 AM   #6
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Okay, had to log out and log back in, but the "Manage Attachments" button is back (although by the replies thus far, maybe I didn't even need the photo! ):
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:25 AM   #7
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I’ve delivered many coaches with the ‘radio’ switch, which provides for the radio/video to be powered(by the House batteries) when parked and the engine is off. I only suppose this is needed if the unit does not have a ‘physical’ On/Off power button of it’s own, or is a ‘screen’ based unit.

My Palazzo has a screen based unit, but has it’s own On/Off push button and runs soley from the House batteries, so no additional switch is needed.
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:28 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonstroker View Post
I have a switch like you describe on my Dynamax Force. It switches the power lead between chassis batteries and house batteries.
Do you know how it works? For example, is one position feeding a continuous/direct power source off the house batteries and the other position feeding a power source that is switched through the ignition in the ACC (or ON) position?
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:33 AM   #9
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Yes one side of the switch is on when the ignition is on from the chassis batteries. The other side is hot from the house batteries. My problem was the keep alive wire for the presets. It was also switched so I would lose the time function and all my presets. I pulled the keep alive wire and wired it directly to the house batteries.
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Old 11-24-2018, 09:46 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-nickie View Post
You're sneaking suspicion is correct.

Sorry I can't help reconfigure since I don't know how you modded it.
Yup, the good ol' "Ready - Fire - Aim" approach!!
I should be able to back track it once I figure out exactly how the Radio switch works . . .
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Old 11-25-2018, 05:58 AM   #11
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The radio will come on when you turn the ignition key. If the key is off, you can use the radio button to turn the radio on with the keys out. I generally just use the sound bar if we want music inside.
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Old 11-28-2018, 01:08 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonstroker View Post
Yes one side of the switch is on when the ignition is on from the chassis batteries. The other side is hot from the house batteries. My problem was the keep alive wire for the presets. It was also switched so I would lose the time function and all my presets. I pulled the keep alive wire and wired it directly to the house batteries.
Odd..... Ours is wired that way now. Never lost anything. The "specialist" that put yours in must have had a bad day......
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