The continually hot 12v line is usually there to maintain the clock, station
memory, etc. while car is switched off. The switched 12v line is the one
that (should) be supplying the main power, although there is no reason why a
radio couldn't be designed that used the constant line to supply the bulk of
the power and the switched power (further controlled by the radio power
switch) could activate an internal relay. But that would be too complicated.
Anyway, there probably really isn't any reason why you can't simply connect
both leads to a constant 12v source. It's just that the radio would work
even when the car is turned off, which might be handy if you want to listen
while working on other parts of the car! ;-)
If you are using a multimeter rather than just a voltmeter, you could also
try measuring the current being drawn when connected as directed. It really
does sound like an insufficient current problem the way you've described it.
HTH!
Eddie
1971 Midget "Bebop"
> Thanks for your suggestions. I had tested the stereo directly against the
> battery - that's the only way I can get it to work. The "appropriate" hot
> and ground wires ARE showing 12 volts between them, which is the odd
thing,
> seeing as the stereo won't light up at all attached to them. If the
ground
> wasn't good, how could it show 12 volts? There are no hot wires, no
blowing
> of fuses. I would wire the stereo directly to the battery right now and
be
> done with it if the stereo didn't also have a 2nd (+) line, for power that
> is on only when the car is. I may call Jensen and ask why it is really
> necessary to have this 2nd (+) lead set up in this way -- maybe I can just
> bundle the two (+) lines together to the (+) battery terminal - it works
> fine in the test.
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