Forum Discussion

rokitman's avatar
rokitman
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015

Radio doesn't really turn off in 07 Fleetwood Arcadia

The radio in my 07 Fleetwood Arcadia never really goes off, even when the trailer is folded up. I can turn the radio off using its on/off switch but the lights on the face are on as long the battery is connected so it's always drawing power. The lights and other DC electronics in the trailer don't work when the bed isn't extended (the master switch is there) but the radio and propane detector seem to always be on. Is there any way to turn the radio completely off? Seems as if I don't disconnect the battery it would be dead rather quickly.
Folding Trailers
  • bondebond's avatar
    bondebond
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    I installed a switch under the galley right behind where the radio mounts. In fact, that's all of the wiring behind it that Fleetwood did. I just interrupted the full-time power wire with this switch.



    We have never used it when camping and I only turn it on when working on the PUP at home in the shop. The kids thought for the longest time that the radio was broken and quick asking me if we could turn it on, which was an extra bonus.

    This way, it does drain the battery.
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    It's normal operation so the clock stays set.

    If you want to compleatly kill the power you need a battery disconnect switch, as others have mentioned.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Apr 22, 2015
    Many radios have two power wires. One turns the radio on and off just like in your car. The other wire is always on providing power to keep the clock and preset settings kept in memory.

    Fleetwood wired the radio as it was designed, they gave positive power to the memory wire that does not get cut when the top goes down. This way they radio keeps it's settings while in storage.

    Yeah I agree with ScottG, it's really a dumb choice for many of the RV's out there as it drains the battery.
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    swamprat 01 wrote:
    Just put a toggle switch on the hot side and turn it off before you close it up, or pull the fuse /turn the breaker off.
    What he said, and what I did
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 22, 2015
    My brother had a HiLo that came with a Blaupunk (sp?) that did the same thing. He had to pull the fuse to kill it.
    Stupid choice of radio.
  • nineoaks2004's avatar
    nineoaks2004
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    Just put a toggle switch on the hot side and turn it off before you close it up, or pull the fuse /turn the breaker off.
  • Winnebago_Bob's avatar
    Winnebago_Bob
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    Itchey Feet wrote:
    The 12v radio on our 99 Summerwind TC and our 2013 WindRiver TT also stay lit unless the battery master switch is turned off. This is one of the reasons for master switches, also all the warning devices will also stay energized (smoke detector, co2 alarm etc)all called parasitic drains. All this is just my own opinion and nothing to do with how they are built or wired.


    None of our in our TTs/popups have ever done this - you learn something new every day.

    :)

    I'll have to check the Arctic Fox when it finally arrives seeing as how it's also a Northwood/Outdoors RV product.
  • Itchey_Feet's avatar
    Itchey_Feet
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    The 12v radio on our 99 Summerwind TC and our 2013 WindRiver TT also stay lit unless the battery master switch is turned off. This is one of the reasons for master switches, also all the warning devices will also stay energized (smoke detector, co2 alarm etc)all called parasitic drains. All this is just my own opinion and nothing to do with how they are built or wired.
  • Winnebago_Bob's avatar
    Winnebago_Bob
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    Which brand is the radio?

    Sounds like a radio issue and not a TT issue.

    You might get better responses in the Tech section.

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