Forum Discussion

mike-uswest's avatar
mike-uswest
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2022

CD player hookup

I recently bought a 2019 Ram 2500 TCD and in the truck there is no CD player. I know I am an old timer. I have a Panasonic Cd player that I can hook into the auxiliary hookup and play through the radio. I also have USB ports that I found have 5.1 volts power. It would be nice to hook the external power port on the Panasonic that they have labeled for 4.5 volts to use for the power to not have to replace batteries. When I hooked a cord to it I got a loud hum and chickened out and pulled the plug. I did still have the batteries in the Panasonic though. What I want to know is can I do this without messing something up? Thanks.

Mike
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jan 21, 2022
    The loud humm is caused by a ground loop Now there are ways to break a ground loop but none are perfect... (You need to use isolation transformers and most of those restrict audio range. Try the ones from Heil Sound for full range)

    Alternative is to use a small True-sine inverter and a wall wart.. The inverter converts vehicle power to 120 volts and the wall wart back to 4.5-5 volts for the CD player. It also breaks the ground loop.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 21, 2022
    Mike, I sent you a PM so I don't have the inevitable argument with some chuckle-head about it here.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2022
    Mike,

    If those USB ports are not in the radio face, they may do you no good at all. Did you try duping the CDs onto a thumb drive and plugging that into the USB in the radio?

    If you run out of other ideas, there are FM modulators that power from the DC mousohole and have a 3.5audio plug for the CD player. Tune it and go. I have one that is so old that it has died.

    Matt

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,232 PostsLatest Activity: Apr 09, 2025