muphi Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 I purchased a Retrosound radio recently and found that the radio was intermittent with the engine running. It was fine with ignition on but without the engine running. Retrosound technical department suggested that there might be a fault with the tuner so I got a replacement from the supplier. Having fitted the radio I have the same fault. Both alternator and voltage stabiliser are relatively new. I wondered if anyone else has experience of this product ?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Have you fitted any supressors? Perhaphs the coil needs one? but am no expert here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 The 12 volt supply on a car is quite dirty, even without the interference for the coil etc. Go to your local car audio shop and get an in-line suppressor. This will consist of a coil and a capacitor in a single lump. Input from the battery, output to radio. Suppression may be needed on all the other bits. Where ever sparks happen interference lurks. Coil, alternator (may be), dynamo (likely) wiper motor, heater motor (possibly) Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jean-Marie Raedts Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 My experience with a Schaub Lorenz radio (1972) for radio interference suppression is: 1. Put a capacitor of 1 micro farad on the coil. 2. Put the same capacitor on the dynamo (or alternator). 3. Have a (very) good earth connection on the antenna (applies also for the capacitors). The radio, orginal 7 watt is ugraded with 2 times a TDA7240A 20 Watt Bridge amplifier (small chips build inside the radio housing), which allows radio listening with the top down at a speed of 100 km/hour. Succes! Jean-Marie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 Check that your battery voltage is not too high when the engine is running. If it is you might be tripping the overvoltage protection in the radio - if it has protection that is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 I had the same problem, it worked fine until i started the engine. Put it through every test possible with the assistance of retrosound support .In the end we decided it was a dud and i sent it back to them in the U S A . They checked it out and couldnt find a problem but they did say they had a few with the same symptoms so they sent me an older production model and all is now working as it should with no suppresors or any add ons Quote Link to post Share on other sites
muphi Posted February 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 Thanks everyone for your replies. Today I tried an in line supressor but it didn't resolve the problem. Retrosound were unable to shed light on the possible cause and have suggested that I return the product to the supplier which is what I will do. What a waste of time....anyway, must appreciate your suggestions and comments. Neil Regent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyhall Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Might be a last gasp but I had a similar problem, ok with the ignition on but not when running, turned out to be the ignition not returning after I started the car Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
muphi Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 That's a strange one. I tried the radio wired to the battery with engine running but same problem occured. I guess that suggests that the ignition wasn't the cause. Thanks for the comment tho. Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Did you check the battery voltage when running? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
muphi Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Yes, 13.2 Volts. Did wonder if the alternator was at fault but all voltages indicate this is not the case. I've now returned the RetroSound radio for a refund ! Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Very strange. Hope the replacement works OK. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
muphi Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I fitted a Kenwood a couple of days ago and this works fine. During the last month I have fitted 2 RetroSound radios to a bog standard TR4 and both had the same intermittent sound when on tuner. Fine with an ipod. I imagine others may also have similar difficulties with this product. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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