quick non T4R electrical question (aux cord) - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Jc12 · 04-10-2015, 07:15 PM

Hey guys, sorry to post this here but i know there is a lot of knowledge and much quicker answers than anywhere else. I need to install an external speaker (very low watt) to my VHF radio on my boat - which i tow with my 4runner

The VHF radio only has an input for two speaker wires but all new external speakers come with just an auxiliary plug (like earbud headphones). can i strip the aux cable and plug the positive and negative wires into the back of VHF radio then ground the ground wire somewhere on the boat?

thanks!!

TheDurk · 04-10-2015, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jc12

Hey guys, sorry to post this here but i know there is a lot of knowledge and much quicker answers than anywhere else. I need to install an external speaker (very low watt) to my VHF radio on my boat - which i tow with my 4runner

The VHF radio only has an input for two speaker wires but all new external speakers come with just an auxiliary plug (like earbud headphones). can i strip the aux cable and plug the positive and negative wires into the back of VHF radio then ground the ground wire somewhere on the boat?

thanks!!

I assume you meant output here where I bolded. If so, then yes. However the ground (from the speaker I assume), I would ground to the case or any ground lug of the radio. Better chance to avoid a ground loop hum.

IBallEngineer · 04-10-2015, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDurk

I assume you meant output here where I bolded. If so, then yes. However the ground (from the speaker I assume), I would ground to the case or any ground lug of the radio. Better chance to avoid a ground loop hum.

Actually if the external speaker has 3mm plug it could be either mono or stereo. In reality you only need two of the 3 wires if it is a stereo plug. The ground is a common ground and the other two are left and right. If it is a mono, like a CB speaker, it probably only has two wires. You could try grounding to the case as see what happens, since El Durko is quite knowledgeable about electrefonics,

. I usually defer to @TheDurk

when it comes to 3rd gen stuff but he might be off here

, never can tell.

Try both cookies, and call us in the morning.

Jc12 · 04-10-2015, 08:29 PM

thanks a ton guys ill give it a try!!

TheDurk · 04-10-2015, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBallEngineer

Actually if the external speaker has 3mm plug it could be either mono or stereo. In reality you only need two of the 3 wires if it is a stereo plug. The ground is a common ground and the other two are left and right. If it is a mono, like a CB speaker, it probably only has two wires. You could try grounding to the case as see what happens, since El Durko is quite knowledgeable about electrefonics,

. I usually defer to @TheDurk

when it comes to 3rd gen stuff but he might be off here

, never can tell.

Try both cookies, and call us in the morning.

I may have misunderstood. I assumed the ground was a separate wire from the speaker--maybe a boat thing. If it is in the aux. cord, you would be correct, as usual. I kind of wonder how he identified it as a ground in this case.

Also who puts a stereo plug on a single speaker? Photos would help here...radio and speaker, including plug close-up. How many wires are there in the cord? Colors? May have to split cable sheath to see these...

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