Installing Radio Switch on RV

Installing a radio switch on you RV camper trailer can make a huge difference in battery consumption. Did you know that the radio on your RV may be drawing power 24/7, even when it's not in use!!! RV radios consoles can cause over 100w of phantom / parasitic draw per day!! Watch this easy, cheap how to fix.
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[@kathymintexas1556]

Your idea for using a piece of plywood behind the switch is so simple, yet genius!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you, I hope it helps out with your install!

[@Thebearcave1776]

Nice simple mod. A battery kill switch for trailer storage is great too.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Did you see that video? A master switch is a must for sure. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Thebearcave1776]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Yeah, sorry, saw the master switch video. All depended on my sequence of the binge watching lol

[@EverythingRVbyPat]

Great job Brian!!! This is the stuff that Braxton Creek should be watching. I know they are watching and hear the viewers at times but if they took more time to listen and check their stuff they would have a much better product in the end. And, it wouldn't be all that much more in time and price. Just saying that they should take care to look at everything a little better. I don't own one but in the several that I have seen I have found simple little things that they could have done better. Just my opinion but the great news is that these simple little things are easier to do on your own and in the end you will have a much better camper. Thanks again for the great how-to video!!! Pat

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I really appreciate you watch all the videos!… I’m not sure Braxton Creek does

[@EverythingRVbyPat]

@@DIYOutdoorLife In my video reviewing the 10HD I suggested that they put in a 12v refrigerator. I even measured one and pointed it out where they could put it. In the FLAV and the 12SK they are now including the very same brand and size 12v refrigerator. Coincidence? I choose to think that they took my suggestion and not so much that they came up with the solution on their own. LOL!!!

[@terrycuyler1020]

Removed the radio fuse. I’ll get switch but for now this is good. Less draw, quieter without radio randomly turning on and no blue ghost light at night.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Nice!! It’s worth it just to kill the glow!

[@garyyendall7159]

I like your easy going style and your way of explaining how you do each hookup. Gary Yendall

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you, I appreciate that. Thanks for tuning in.

[@jimolson8810]

Your vids are just really well done. You are so clear in how you describe and demonstrate.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you, I really appreciate that you’re watching. It’s been a lot of fun, a lot more videos coming…

[@jonluchessi1643]

Brian this was awesome thanks again, these videos really help I can’t stand my stereo I will never use it so I’m going to install the switch, watching your video just makes it so simple, thanks for helping us👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

That's great to hear! Although we don't use it often, every once in a while, it's nice to sync it up to the iPad for a movie in the BW. It's really nice to be able to keep it off 99% of the time, but switch it on when we want it. Thanks for watching!

[@ChadVanover]

Thank you for the instructions that most people can understand.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you for watching and commenting 😀

[@JonHaar]

Glad I found this video. Ordered the switch and connector set from Amazon and will knock this one out once they arrive. You make it look so simple that I think I can even do it....LOL

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Circle back if any questions arise, I’m sure it will go smoothly. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@stauffer65]

Another Excellent vid!! So well done for anyone to understand. Thanks brother!👍🏻👍🏻👊🏻

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you, I appreciate you tuning in! Hope you're doing well.

[@stauffer65]

@DIYOutdoorLife Absolutely. Tune in alot, but don't comment as much. Keep them coming!! All you vid are so helpful and informative!

[@bobm5198]

My stereo and speakers are Jensen. It does still have parasitic draw but is is very, very low, about .5mw. I still turn it off. I also turn off the co detector as I don't use the furnace.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I’ve seen some varying reports of consumption. I put a DC power analyzer on the feed for my unit for 3 days and got unacceptable numbers. I wonder if there’s intermittent draws. If my numbers matched yours, I would’ve lived with it too.

[@gfp1011]

Another great video Brian. You show us when you know what you’re doing it can be easy! Thanks again.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Hope it helps, this was a really handy mod!

[@MrDickParker]

Thanks for taking the time to put together this great video! You speak very slowly and clearly which is most helpful. Thank you again! (from Alberta, Canada)

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@R3Minion]

Great tip and instructions as usual Brian. Thanks!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

[@LeviWilke]

Yeah man, great quality videos! Thank you!!!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I was just watching yours on lifeguard training! Appreciate you tuning in, thanks for swinging by!

[@kevinhuxhold8050]

Thanks for the tip just installed the switch and works great 👍 thanks again.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Solid!

[@zkat13]

My little camper isn't even going to have a battery (aside of my Jackery), but I watched this anyway. Still learned something. Just curious, are you eventually planning on replacing the radio, or using the space for something else?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

With the switch, I turn it on to use for music or movies, stays off when not in use. Saves a lot of battery life overall, while still making it a accessible when I want it. I’m thinking about putting new speakers in this season.

[@artriveros7659]

Awesome install! . This was exactly what I was looking for.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

That’s great, I knew someone would search for it…lol

[@artriveros7659]

@@DIYOutdoorLife I ran into an issue when i installed it. When I went to turn off the switch , the 15 amp fuse in the breaker box for the stereo popped. I’ll need to replace it. I should mention that the way this stereo is connected to the hot & ground wires from the breaker is each side is connected to double wires. In others words, two wires for the hot side and two for the ground. Not sure why. Most rv or trailer stereos I’ve seen are connected to one positive and one ground wire from the breaker box.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@artriveros7659 The inconsistencies in the manufacturing process make this very difficult. In your situation, they spliced into the stereo, likely the power the coaxial antenna underneath it. You’re gonna wanna return that three-way splice. Make sure that your only putting switch on the 12v supply wire going to the stereo. If you get in a bind, let me know and will take care of this together. I’ll have you take some photos and will get it squared up.

[@artriveros7659]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Thanks bud. I really appreciate it. Would love for this to work. Not sure what you mean by “return the three way splice”. I think. Here’s what the wires from the breaker look like that are connected to the stereo. Positive: 1 purple/white wire & 1 purple wire to red + wire on stereo Ground: 2 white wires to black - wire on stereo. I try connecting the red+ wire from the stereo to just either the purple /white wire or just the purple… And the black- ground to only one white wire. Then cap the remaining wires. I’ll see if that works. I’ll be trying this tomorrow. I’ll get back to you. Art

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@artriveros7659 Hey Art, good description! Leave the ground alone, you won't need to touch them at all for this switch job. Only one of the purple wires is your "hot". The other one was used to lazily power another device...lol You're going to need a new short length of wire to make this work. Your new 3 wire splice will be - Purple/white, purple, and a short length of new wire (14 awg or bigger). If you dont have 14awg or bigger you might be able to snip a section off the purple or purple/white if theres enough extra. Now, the red wire to stereo will go on one spade from the switch and your NEW wire will go on the other spade. It's difficult to explain with text, but this is the proper way to get this to work. Im sorry they shafted you on this one, it should be easy to fix. Happy to send photos or even hop on phone if you need more help.

[@lorigardner9388]

Great video. Thanks for posting. Parts ordered :)

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you! Let me know how you make out!

[@marriagesurvivalist]

Appreciate all your videos Brian. Does a kill switch solve the problem? I am not so handy to put a switch in. As an alternative, can I take out the fuse in the back of the radio? Thanks so much. I am learning so much from your videos.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

The switch stopped the problem in it's tracks! In the video, I show where the radio fuse is, you can definitely pull that if you don't use the radio. Don't pull the one on the converter because thats connected to other stuff. If we ever catch up at a Bushwhacker rally, I'll do the switch for you. Happy camping!

[@marriagesurvivalist]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Brian I was not clear in my question. Does a kill switch on the battery do the same thing as the switch you connected to the radio.That would be cool to someday catch up at a rally.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@marriagesurvivalist ohh oops… In a way yes, in a way no. When you use the master switch on the camper, you cut everything off. This will definitely preserve battery life and it’s a great way to go for storage. The radio switch allows you to be using the camper off grid and not consuming the extra juice. That way you’re lights, fans, fridge keep working with out the pesky radio lights and draw

[@marriagesurvivalist]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Got it! Thanks. You are appreciated.

[@mikeham5465]

Awesome

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Good luck w the project, it made a huge difference

[@jacksondorsey]

Hi Brian - i have a 2021 10HD. My +12VDC cord only has one wire - any thoughts on how i can do the install? Thanks

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Take a photo and send it to [e-mail]. Happy to help!

[@chrisdean4096]

Good afternoon I got a 10HD and attempted this MOD and this is now different what you have and can not do this MOD

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Sure you can, why not? If yours is a little different, let me know and I’ll help you out.

[@gerrymurphy9524]

My radio diagram for my Arame has a red wire labeled ACC and a yellow cable, with in line fuse, labeled BAT. Assuming battery. Should I connect the switch to the yellow? Thanks

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Yes, switch the fuses line

[@gerrymurphy9524]

Thanks that is what I thought. Worked perfectly. Thanks again.

[@basscannon762]

Red wire is the switched on/off connection. Yellow wire is the direct constant +power to battery

[@DougSimerlink]

Love the mod. However, once installed and power is turned back on to the trailer, that fuse blows. Do you think it is a faulty switch or should I install an line fuse prior to the switch. Thanks in advance for your assistance, Brian

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

no fuse needed, somethings wired wrong. What kind of camper do you have?

[@DougSimerlink]

2019 Nucamp T@g XL - figured it out, I was connecting the ground wire to the switch. Bonehead move on my behalf. All is working well now, wago connectors are awesome. Thanks so much for the reply and all the videos.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@DougSimerlink it happens, glad you got it figured out. Far less battery consumption and no weird glow when you’re sleeping!

[@terrycuyler1020]

@@DIYOutdoorLife I hate that weird blue glow. I’ll have to do this. And when I just pulled the fuse, I got a bright red glow staring at me.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@terrycuyler1020 haha...blue and red lights always give me anxiety...lol

[@debbied9740]

Couldn't u just pull the fuse. Think that's what I will do. Thanks

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Hey Debbie, The fuse in the WFCO goes to more than the radio, it shuts off the CO detector off. The radio specific fuse is on the back of the unit and requires unscrewing the unit to pull, not practical if you want to use the radio some times. I show where it is in the video if you want to pull that one.

[@valdezford]

Hello, I plan on installing this switch along with a radio in my camper. What radio model is that?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Hi Ruben, i’ll have to check later on the exact model, it’s a Jenson. You can install a switch on the feed line for any of RV radio like this. Do you want me to find the exact model?

[@valdezford]

If you wouldn’t mind, that would be great! Thank you.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@valdezford Jenson JWM 22

[@valdezford]

@@DIYOutdoorLife thanks so much!

[@TTFNOverland]

I opened up my radio and found there are two white with orange additional wires connected to the red Wire that said 12 vdc. Would I connect the two white and orange as one and the red on its own to the switch and the red to the other terminal on the switch?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I'm hearing this more from people with newer models. They are splicing the supply wire to feed the cable antennae off the radio. If you dont want to switch the antenna, then add a short new wire to that splice. Run that new wire to one side of the switch and the wire to the radio to the other. Should be a pretty quick job, bummer that they did that. Let me know if you need more help, always tough to explain in text.

[@TTFNOverland]

So I should just cut the red wire and add the two connectors still to the them both and connect them to the switch by leaving the white / orange wires with one red end together?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@TTFNOverland If you have the length, that will work great. If you're short, youll have to add a longer wire to the splice.

[@TTFNOverland]

Gotcha, I’m now contemplating this. Lol thank you so much for your help

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

​@@TTFNOverlandAny time. Either way should be easy...find a piece of wire to "borrow" off something..lol