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Keep burning up XM radios!!!

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by sapo_trucker, Mar 13, 2014.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Mar 13, 2014 #1
    sapo_trucker

    sapo_trucker Bobtail Member

    11
    1
    Aug 5, 2013
    Texas Hill Country
    0
    I had an XM Delphi SkyFi2 in a '95 Freightliner Classic for 4-5 years until it was totaled due to a car pulling out in front of me. I pulled the radio out which was working fine and put it in a temporary '02 International truck I was driving and the radio lasted 2-3 days and just quit working! I checked and narrowed it down to the radio going out. So I "borrowed" the SkyFi2 out of my wives car and put it in the truck. Lasted a few days and quit after hitting a slight bump! Fuse was good and power outlet was getting power. I gave up on using a radio in that truck. I bought a good used SkyFi2 (I really like these radios) and at this time I'm now in a replacement '07 Peterbilt. I thought finally I can use my XM again. Put the radio in and it quit after a few days while simply pushing one of the buttons. This was with all new radio parts!! I know this radio is still good cause I tested it on a buddy's home adapter. So it seems that I keep burning up the power cords or the radio docks no matter what truck I'm in or if the radio parts are new. What could be causing this?? Anyone else have a similar problem or have any ideas? I refuse to keep buying docks and cords and they only last a few days but I NEED my radio! I even tried a hardwire kit with no change....
     
    sapo_trucker, Mar 13, 2014
    sapo_trucker, Mar 13, 2014
    #1
    DoneYourWay Thanks this.
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  3. Mar 13, 2014 #2
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    i've had to replace the radios on a yearly basis. seems like they last longer if you turn them off before starting the truck.

    think, power surge.
     
    snowwy, Mar 13, 2014
    snowwy, Mar 13, 2014
    #2
    DoneYourWay Thanks this.
  4. Mar 13, 2014 #3
    rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

    3,371
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    in the bush somewhere
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    I also went through several radios in my old truck. When I moved into my new truck, I moved the radio and began having issues almost immediately. I really had nowhere to mount the radio that suited me, so i just had it sitting on the dash which worked ok. This truck has Sirius in the factory radio, so I called Sirius, spent half an hour on the phone and activated the factory radio. Only problem is now I can't rewind and replay a good song
     
    rbrtwbstr, Mar 13, 2014
    rbrtwbstr, Mar 13, 2014
    #3
  5. Mar 13, 2014 #4
    sapo_trucker

    sapo_trucker Bobtail Member

    11
    1
    Aug 5, 2013
    Texas Hill Country
    0
    Isn't the fuse in place for power surge to protect the radio etc.? It seems like the fuse is fine but still is able to burn up the cord and/ or the radio cradle....
     
    sapo_trucker, Mar 13, 2014
    sapo_trucker, Mar 13, 2014
    #4
  7. Mar 13, 2014 #5
    jameslawton

    jameslawton Light Load Member

    257
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    May 1, 2013
    Tulsa OK
    0
    Put a fuse on the ground side will stop burning up the radios
     
    jameslawton, Mar 13, 2014
    jameslawton, Mar 13, 2014
    #5
    DoneYourWay and cabwrecker Thank this.
  8. Mar 14, 2014 #6
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    fuses don't protect against power surges. they protect against excessive amperage draws.
     
    snowwy, Mar 14, 2014
    snowwy, Mar 14, 2014
    #6
    DoneYourWay Thanks this.
  9. Mar 14, 2014 #7
    jameslawton

    jameslawton Light Load Member

    257
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    May 1, 2013
    Tulsa OK
    0
    A surge of power is excessive amps the way he is describing it I would guess is excessive power coming in from the ground side fuses will protect electronics but the need fuses on power and ground Cummings had fuses on power and ground of the ecm for years to stop them from burning up from a power surge
    The other suggestion is to check to make sure there is no ac voltage comings out of the alternator from a bad diode not that common but it does happen
     
    jameslawton, Mar 14, 2014
    jameslawton, Mar 14, 2014
    #7
    DoneYourWay Thanks this.
  10. Mar 26, 2014 #8
    Mjgonehunting

    Mjgonehunting Bobtail Member

    11
    3
    Mar 24, 2014
    NY
    0
    I seem to get a year or so out of a Sirius radio,but they seem to lose the antennae connections!
    i had 5 replaced on warrantee before I finally changed models to one with less bells and whistles,and that one seemed to last about 6-7 months longer befor I started getting the " check antennae connection" messages! Used it for another 6 months by folding a business card and rubber band to wedge things and make contact.
    I must add that I drive local so take it from the truck to my P/U daily!
    it seems the problem is the plug on the radio not the dock!
    I just took advantage of their offer for a free radio with a 1 year sign up since I got a new company truck!
     
    Mjgonehunting, Mar 26, 2014
    Mjgonehunting, Mar 26, 2014
    #8
  11. Mar 26, 2014 #9
    lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    Sorrento Maine
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    lovesthedrive, Mar 26, 2014
    lovesthedrive, Mar 26, 2014
    #9
  12. Mar 26, 2014 #10
    sapo_trucker

    sapo_trucker Bobtail Member

    11
    1
    Aug 5, 2013
    Texas Hill Country
    0
    I bought two more cigarette lighter power cords off Ebay to give it one (or two) more shots. If it burns those up, I think I'll just give up on having XM radio unless they make one that takes batteries!! It doesn't mean that much to me to invest a bunch of money to remedy that problem. I can't imagine what the problem could be. I appreciate the replies!!
     
    sapo_trucker, Mar 26, 2014
    sapo_trucker, Mar 26, 2014
    #10
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