Mod?

**Sunline Fan** · 02-06-2010, 08:24 PM

Well, y'all have done it now, caused me to start another mod...

I won't bother going into details because I know none of you like details

Jon

EMD_Driver · 02-07-2010, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

I won't bother going into details because I know none of you like details

You know us Jon.... If you want to leave out the details, go ahead...

Just don't forget the pics! We love pics!!!

**JohnB** · 02-07-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

Well, y'all have done it now, caused me to start another mod...

I won't bother going into details because I know none of you like details

Jon

Ah, our hard work on you is paying off....

.

And like Gary said

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMD_Driver

If you want to leave out the details, go ahead...

Just don't forget the pics! We love pics!!!

**Sunline Fan** · 02-07-2010, 12:54 PM

Well I won't hold you guys up any more. I know I hate suspense and Gary, you did a fine job with that license plate. I won't torture all of you...

I made a decision to replace the radio. The black Voyager is a POS. I've had a problem as far back as I can remember that the radio or converter makes a horrible noise when the trailer is plugged in and nothing is drawing on it. However, if I turn the radio on, the noise goes away, even as soon as I turn the radio on but before sound comes out.

I did experiment with pulling the fuse one time, but I found out the same fuse also was tied in with the charging system, so after having lights on inside for a little while, they started getting dimmer and dimmer. So I put the fuse back in and immediately they got bright again.

On top of all this, remember I'm all over that couch whenever we go somewhere (I've yet to actually sleep in the bed of MY trailer...), and the orange backlight of that radio is REALLY bright. Geez if a blind were open, I'd bet in a dark campground that light could be seen all the way across. So at either Gateway or Buttonwood, I think Buttonwood, last year, I unscrewed the radio some and tucked some aluminum foil behind the case. It looks terrible but it's they only thing I've found that blocks out the light completely. I suppose maybe electrical tape would work, but I didn't know where any was off the top of my head.

So in searching around for the CD player add on for the '97 Sunline's, I came across the same place on eBay has NOS Encore radios, complete with box, instructions, all wiring, screws, and a one year warranty for 19.99. So I figured what the heck. They were only used in the '97 Sunline's and if nothing less, it will be nostalgic for me even if I can't make it work. My plan right now is to turn the unit sideways in the hole because of course I would never cut the woodwork. It misses standing upright in the hole by 1", when comparing online dimensions. I'm still toying with the idea of taking the back case off to see if I could make a custom case to make it fit in better.

Of course should we all ever decide to have a coach show, I would want it possible to exchange the stock radio back in as easily as possible with no modifications around the area, as well as having the ability to make it work too.

I rarely use the CD player in there anyway, so I don't think I'd really use a tape player any more/less. I mainly use the radio.

So if this doesn't fix the hum, if it does happen to be with the converter and not the radio, then I'll just have what I think is a nicer radio or at least one I'm used to.

Jon

Ted-Thompson · 02-07-2010, 05:28 PM

I work on audio electronics, though not Automobile gear, I'd tend to suspect the condition of the power source before the radio. That being said, a newer one or just a different brand or model may have been isolation and rejection of "garbage" on the 12vDC power - so your fix may do the trick.

Even so, it occurs to me that this radio would have "memory" storing radio presets and such, so it would also have a live un-switched 12v line to it.... so it might be a fault in the radio.

In either case 19.59 seems a worthwhile gamble to eliminate or confirm one possible source.

It never occurred to me that the bigger trailers would have such a radio in them...

**Sunline Fan** · 02-15-2010, 02:34 PM

I thought I'd give y'all an update on the radio situation.

The radio arrived on Thursday afternoon. Due to the fact I had to drive home and that my grandma was at the hospital on Friday, I didn't get home to see it until about 3:00. Turns out to be the wrong radio...

They sent me an Encore 7685W (white), and I ordered a 7695B (black). The receipt in the box also indicated a 7695B. They also threw in an AC adapter that was supposedly more money if I wanted it. The radios are vastly different. The 85W is HUGE! It's maybe 16" wide by 5" tall, and bright white. Wouldn't that just look beautiful on the cherry cabinets!

I called the company about 3:40ish. No one picks up. Sure enough, look on the receipt, the hours are only until 4, so they probably left early. So I sent an e-mail explaining the situation and what should I do.

I get an e-mail back today. She was very sorry for the mix up and said she'll send the new one out right away. I got the new tracking e-mail about two hours later from UPS. Best part, she told me I can keep the other one! Not that I know what to do with it, maybe I can sell it to make it cost neutral.

I think, assuming it'll work, I'll use the AC adapter to my advantage. If the plugs aren't compatible, I really don't want to modify the wiring, so I could just plug the AC adapter in and run it off of that, which could certainly bypass the converter and the possible noise.

Jon

Pogo2588 · 09-01-2012, 05:58 PM

Please help me,

I desperatly need one of these Encore units and I don't care what color it is!
Do you still have contact information for where you bought this. You mentioned that you had to contact them to make an exchange. Please email or post me information on how to contact them.

Thank You in Advance

**Sunline Fan** · 09-02-2012, 07:58 PM

I was never in contact with the actual company that made the radio, just a parts warehouse. This is their contact info:

Truck & RV Supply
1601 W. Bristol ST
Elkhart, IN, 46514
574-262-1850
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST.
trucknrv@truckandrv.com

The original radio I got was much too large to fit in the original opening, or even that cabinet. It's about the size of a cabinet door actually. You would need a model # 7695B.

mainah · 09-03-2012, 07:02 PM

I agree with Ted power supply noise. Why not a modern radio with all the bells and whistles and a display that dims?

**Sunline Fan** · 09-03-2012, 09:02 PM

I was considering that radio for pure sentimental reasons. I don't use the radio much and when I do, I'm not too concerned about sound quality or other things. The best benefit of this radio is the display shows no lights unless it's powered up, unlike the factory radio.

Unfortunately, the Encore unit won't fit in the hole, even sideways, without cutting the hole more. So I decided not to replace it, but I will keep the radio and do something else with it.

I will check the power source when I have it out next, which will be next year.

mainah · 09-04-2012, 06:09 AM

I much prefer to look at old cars, trucks, campers that some one else has restored the old stuff is nice and and I admire the work but give me modern electronics any time! I'm a ham radio operator and many of my friends have great old restored radios, me I like my small solid state stuff that does not have to warm up or require a hand truck to move it. Sorry your new one won't fit that would have solved your problem. A lot of the converter/chargers depending on their age were pretty electrically noisy and with age the caps or diodes go bad and that allows A/C into the wiring and of course the only thing that cares is the radio. If the radio is quiet while you are not plugged in then it is most certainly the converter giving you issues.