Z252 radio 12v constant power?

SMOKINV8 · 07-01-2016, 12:36 AM

I recently purchased a 2000 Z252 and I'm having an issue with the radio. The accessory wire has power and the ground seems good, but the yellow / orange constant 12v wire has nothing. I've checked the fuses which all appear to be good on the two small panels I found. I've traced the wire down the bundle as far as seems reasonable, but I can't see where it goes without disassembling it, and I'd rather not go that far if I don't have to. Can anybody lend some advice?

Also, if it's related (and I don't think it is), the horn currently doesn't work either.

SMOKINV8 · 07-01-2016, 09:17 PM

I've also looked through the Mariah Wiring Schematics from the contributors only section and haven't seen anything designated as Radio or Stereo. Just the speaker wires.

Brian Belcher · 07-01-2016, 09:32 PM

Is your's a cuddy? I'm bringing mine to the house tonite and I'll look at how mine is wired. I would think there would be constant hot fuse panel somewhere for memory on different electronics but don't know for sure yet

SMOKINV8 · 07-01-2016, 10:26 PM

Nah, mine's a bow rider. I would think that they're surely pretty similar though. I had originally proved for continuity between the orange radio wire and the fuse panel and thought it didn't have continuity there, but I found out about an hour ago the tone on my meter isn't working. Since I needed all the length of my meter leads I couldn't see the display. I'm betting it has to go to one of the fuse panels I found back behind the gauges. If it's just an individual issue with the radio wire that doesn't concern me, I can add a wire I the fuse block. I just don't want to band aid this issue and find another later on.

Thanks in advance for any insight, I think the next time I get in the boat to nose around I'll throw some pictures up of what I'm working with.

Brian Belcher · 07-01-2016, 10:50 PM

I wish we could put pictures of our boats in the INFO section. It'd be handy !!
I'm thinking about doing a 10 amp circuit breaker to a fuse panel, directly from a battery, that by passes the Batt Selector so I can save my radio stations. I will mount th CB beside the Batt Selector si I can manually turn the circuit off if need be.

***Hudson River Steve*** · 07-02-2016, 01:18 PM

On my boat all the B+ hot wires are individually fused near the batteries with somewhat sealed in line fuse holders. I have had to disassemble them multiple times to clean them up. Even had to replace a few.

SMOKINV8 · 07-02-2016, 06:24 PM

Not a bad thought Brian. Just food for thought, by the time you buy the breaker and wire it may be almost as cheap to look into a new head unit with a battery. They're pretty cheap.

Steve, thank you for the tip! I'll do some digging around back there when the rain subsides and see if I can find some. Individual 16ga or so wires I assume? Just run straight to the battery?