Problem With New Harrison Radio
09-17-2014, 10:58 PM
#41
Le Mans Master
On the way to my club meeting tonight I tried a little experiment. I completely isolated the radio from the car by hooking it up to a motorcycle battery. The radio still turned off and on repeatedly. So the signal is apparently not coming from the voltage regulator and must be traveling through the air, probably from the Ignitor ignition. This would also explain why it will play all day without the engine running and start screwing up while driving.
09-17-2014, 11:54 PM
#42
Race Director
Issues such as this are why I've kept the points ignition in my 67.
09-18-2014, 12:14 AM
#43
First lets break the problem in half, I heard a lot about the voltage regulator, is that the problem? Why not eliminate the cause and effect, first place a voltmeter in parallel with the radio and have someone watch it while you drive if it peaks at or around 15 vdc you then will know that the internal cb in the radio is taking you off line. There are things that you can install that would clamp the flow but I don't want to get ahead of my self. there are very many smart guys on this forum and I think most of them would agree that you try one thing at a time.
I seem to have the same radio and all I can get it to do is light up I am going to talk to Tx. tomorrow I have done all the trouble shooting that they told me to do so I can think its time to send it back. You guys are lucky at least you have music in the garage.
I seem to have the same radio and all I can get it to do is light up I am going to talk to Tx. tomorrow I have done all the trouble shooting that they told me to do so I can think its time to send it back. You guys are lucky at least you have music in the garage.
09-18-2014, 12:21 AM
#44
If the antenna is grounded somewhere to the chassis, the radio is not totally isolated from the car.
But I assume the antenna is not grounded (I did not check how this is done in a C2, if someone knows...) , so a last simple test is to ground the radio to the car (have the minus of your motorcycle battery connected to the ground of the car). Just trying to eliminate the possibilities.
But I assume the antenna is not grounded (I did not check how this is done in a C2, if someone knows...) , so a last simple test is to ground the radio to the car (have the minus of your motorcycle battery connected to the ground of the car). Just trying to eliminate the possibilities.
09-19-2014, 12:10 AM
#45
The ignition shielding is off. I would like to put it on to see if it does any good, but the radio has to come out tomorrow. They are going to send me a new model that supposedly has addressed this problem. If the new one acts up I will try the ignition shielding.
09-19-2014, 05:06 AM
#46
Team Owner
Pertronix is not an HEI ignition; its an electronic points conversion.
I'm skeptical that an errant radio frequency output from an ignition system would make a radio inoperative, maybe cause interference, but that is about it. If it were the Pertronix why would it take up to 20 minutes for the problem to occur as in post #6 above ? Why does the problem occur with USB input ?
I'll bet if you put points back in your car as a test the problem doesn't go away.
The vendor may have found and fixed their problem but I'm skeptical its a Pertronix issue. Sounds a whole lot more like a thermal or design problem to me.
I'm skeptical that an errant radio frequency output from an ignition system would make a radio inoperative, maybe cause interference, but that is about it. If it were the Pertronix why would it take up to 20 minutes for the problem to occur as in post #6 above ? Why does the problem occur with USB input ?
I'll bet if you put points back in your car as a test the problem doesn't go away.
The vendor may have found and fixed their problem but I'm skeptical its a Pertronix issue. Sounds a whole lot more like a thermal or design problem to me.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 09-19-2014 at 05:25 AM.
09-19-2014, 09:46 PM
#47
Instructor
More two cents
[QUOTE=Frankie the Fink;1587864739]Pertronix is not an HEI ignition; its an electronic points conversion.
I'm skeptical that an errant radio frequency output from an ignition system would make a radio inoperative, maybe cause interference, but that is about it. If it were the Pertronix why would it take up to 20 minutes for the problem to occur as in post #6 above ? Why does the problem occur with USB input ?
I'll bet if you put points back in your car as a test the problem doesn't go away.
Called tx. today did some more trouble shooting was told it could be a blown transistor. New radio in the mail, say what you want they stand behind their product. Wish you luck guys Tom
I'm skeptical that an errant radio frequency output from an ignition system would make a radio inoperative, maybe cause interference, but that is about it. If it were the Pertronix why would it take up to 20 minutes for the problem to occur as in post #6 above ? Why does the problem occur with USB input ?
I'll bet if you put points back in your car as a test the problem doesn't go away.
Called tx. today did some more trouble shooting was told it could be a blown transistor. New radio in the mail, say what you want they stand behind their product. Wish you luck guys Tom
09-19-2014, 11:40 PM
#48
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. There has to be a reason why the problem only occurs when the car is running. It has to be either interference or the power spikes. When we get the new one in we'll see.
09-21-2014, 05:51 AM
#49
Melting Slicks
keep us updated, cause I am redesigning my whole radio set-up too ;-)
10-12-2014, 04:26 AM
#51
Instructor
Member Since: Jul 2011
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problem with harrison radio
I 2 had a problem with a Harrison radio ,i sent it back and they replaced it ,seems ok now but does not have a good sound.
as I live in Australia there is shipping cost also ,so will put up with for now but will replace in time.
at least did not have problems with changing it ,but must be lots better on the market
as I live in Australia there is shipping cost also ,so will put up with for now but will replace in time.
at least did not have problems with changing it ,but must be lots better on the market
10-28-2014, 03:38 PM
#52
I think what I would do is to call Harrison and ask them a few questions about voltage spikes and how much voltage could trigger a power loss. Then I'd check to see what voltage readings you're getting at the battery.
I forgot to mention this before. The way I finally KNEW the radio was getting too much voltage (and you might try this) was when I would run other auxiliary sources. As soon as I got a power loss at the radio I turned on the heater fan to high, which of course drew power, and almost IMMEDIATELY the radio came back on! Shut the fan off and minutes later no radio. Hope that helps.
Gary
I forgot to mention this before. The way I finally KNEW the radio was getting too much voltage (and you might try this) was when I would run other auxiliary sources. As soon as I got a power loss at the radio I turned on the heater fan to high, which of course drew power, and almost IMMEDIATELY the radio came back on! Shut the fan off and minutes later no radio. Hope that helps.
Gary
10-29-2014, 12:22 AM
#53
I got the replacement radio in yesterday and installed it today. This radio is somewhat different from the older model I had. This one has digital readout for bass, treble, fade, balance, etc. I like it a lot better. I took the car out for a 40 minute or so test using the USB and FM. I didn't experience any of the cutting off and on, loosing pre-sets and other erratic behavior I was getting with the old radio. I am hoping for the best. If I have any more problems I will be back with a report.
10-30-2014, 09:29 PM
#54
I got the replacement radio in yesterday and installed it today. This radio is somewhat different from the older model I had. This one has digital readout for bass, treble, fade, balance, etc. I like it a lot better. I took the car out for a 40 minute or so test using the USB and FM. I didn't experience any of the cutting off and on, loosing pre-sets and other erratic behavior I was getting with the old radio. I am hoping for the best. If I have any more problems I will be back with a report.
11-01-2014, 12:42 AM
#55
I didn't even try the AM. The radio has it but I will probably never use it. In fact the USB and ipod port are what I will be listening to most. This is the email I contacted them with b.williams@vintagecaraudio.com Right now I am wiring some relays for my headlights, I should be done with it tomorrow. I will try the AM then and get back.
11-01-2014, 01:44 AM
#56
Put all things aside and add some logic. ...... You just might have bought a DUD.
Case in point,
In 1992, I was in the process of installing my car stereo.
One of the brand new components was acting up.
Called Precision Power and told them that my BRAND NEW FRX-322 was bad.
They said, "No way!).
Told them that I was using an oscilliscope to tune the components and the 332 was putting out Sine waves.
Sent the FRX-322 back to them.
They called me 2 weeks or less and told me that I was right!
I
Case in point,
In 1992, I was in the process of installing my car stereo.
One of the brand new components was acting up.
Called Precision Power and told them that my BRAND NEW FRX-322 was bad.
They said, "No way!).
Told them that I was using an oscilliscope to tune the components and the 332 was putting out Sine waves.
Sent the FRX-322 back to them.
They called me 2 weeks or less and told me that I was right!
I
11-02-2014, 09:00 PM
#57
I didn't even try the AM. The radio has it but I will probably never use it. In fact the USB and ipod port are what I will be listening to most. This is the email I contacted them with b.williams@vintagecaraudio.com Right now I am wiring some relays for my headlights, I should be done with it tomorrow. I will try the AM then and get back.
11-09-2014, 06:55 PM
#58
Thanks for checking and posting the reply. My AM worked for years, so ... I'll contact Harrison with the address you gave, see if they've ever heard of such a thing. Till then I guess I'll get my fix of sports talk radio another way. 
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
