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Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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MLCnAL
Novice
Jun 17, 2005, 6:03 AM
Post #1 of 11
(2325 views)
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Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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 I picked up a used BMW radio I want to use in a boat. Does the radio have to reside in the car to work? It is a KE-81 model.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 17, 2005, 9:28 AM
Post #2 of 11
(2322 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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Marine radios are not that expensive! Why waste the time with one from a car that may have codes to make it work and not be friendly with marine use? Your call,
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carjunky
Enthusiast
Jun 17, 2005, 9:32 AM
Post #3 of 11
(2319 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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Good point Tom,
I forgot about the saltwater damage alone.... really may not be worth the risk.
If you don't have the money, maybe consider selling some stuff you really no longer need thats around the house.
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MLCnAL
Novice
Jun 17, 2005, 9:57 AM
Post #4 of 11
(2317 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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For what I want to do, a used car radio will work great in my boat. I will use it only about a month, during shrimping season, the radio slips out just like my other electonics, I have great marine speakers, I just need some tunes. If the salt water damages it in one month, I just chunk it. I happen to have four used car radios on hand. The BMW radio will need the least amount of work to hook it up to the battery. I just don't want to even bother going there if the anti theft feature prevents me from using it in any other vehicle besides the original Car.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 17, 2005, 1:36 PM
Post #5 of 11
(2313 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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I'm a former yacht person so been there done that. Go ahead and put it in if it fits and can be replaced easily. You didn't say how big this boat was so it leaves us guessing. If the radio (stereo) can be covered if exposed it should work. The antennae is the hard part. Good luck with the job whatever you decide,
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MLCnAL
Novice
Jun 20, 2005, 6:54 AM
Post #6 of 11
(2302 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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Thanks for your reply. My husband and I have a 1978 23foot Formula. It's a great boat for what we do, fish in the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay. I've always wanted to put in a radio. The radio will go in the cubby cabin, I may or may not cover it, but, I will remove it when we are not in the boat. We keep the boat on a trailer in it's own shed in the back yard. I think a car radio will do fine for what we want. The speakers and antenna are marine built, and that is more important than the radio, in my judgement.
The problem is the anti-theft feature on this radio. The dealer didn't think it would work if it's not in the BMW. I don't understand this. If this is true, that the radio won't work outside the car, then I don't even want to bother with trying to wire it up.
Thanks, Mary
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 20, 2005, 1:28 PM
Post #7 of 11
(2300 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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You want a radio/stereo and even if the BMW can't work without the car just go get one at a dept. store for about $79 and weather resistant speakers. I have purchased those for as low as $25 or so and they have been exposed to everything and still work just fine. Cool trick for the speakers is to mount box speakers to a painted piece of wood and use Velcro extreme (hardware store item) so you don't have to mess up the boat. In total you might be out $200 and if you are are into boating you know that's 2 cents! If you go for it bench test the BMW radio with speakers first. Good luck happy boating from now BOATJUNKY!!
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MLCnAL
Novice
Jun 21, 2005, 5:49 AM
Post #8 of 11
(2296 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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Thanks Tom, I like your advice about using velcro extreme. I'm going to try it.
I'm not going to use the BMW radio. I got power, but, I couldn't get it to prompt me for the security code.
So, now I'm trying a DELCO radio. I got the power, the clock, the stations, however, I'm still trying to get sound. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, I'm not even getting static. I'm thinking, either I'm using the wrong connectors, my +/- wires are touching, or maybe I need to have it grounded some how. I'm not wiring the Dimmer(DIM) or the power antenna connections (ANT). But, I do have an antenna connected.
What are some common reasons for speaker problems?
Thanks,
learning the hard way and having fun learning.
Mary
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 22, 2005, 8:25 AM
Post #9 of 11
(2286 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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The radio will need ground and power, the speakers should be fine with just common two wire connections even to firbergass, mine always worked. Gm radios can be great. Many come with a wiring diagram on the silly radio! Used is good as any. Good luck and happy boating,
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Nov 4, 2006, 12:19 PM
Post #10 of 11
(1476 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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Using a radio without the security code function sure sounds like the way to go here. You said the + & - wires for the speakers were touching? If so, separtate them, if they're touching, they're shorting the output transistors and could ultimately do damage to them, especially if the volume is up high.
Connect + & - to each speaker individually and you should be fine. Since you'll be removing the unit when you're not using it, I would suggest a connector either one that fits the radio, or two that fit together that you can wire in. This will facilitate easy removal/installation.
Hope these suggestions help, and happy boating.
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Nov 6, 2006, 6:31 AM
Post #11 of 11
(1470 views)
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Re: Do I have to have a BMW radio in a car to work?
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Thanks, I have since got another radio working and it has been great. I found that i have better luck with radios that have a wiring harnes already on the back of the radio. It's easier to connect the wires. I tried making my own connectors, but, I'm not happy with the results. I know I could buy the set up for $200 or so, but, this is not the point. I am just love figuring it out. Any suggestions on how to make your own radiow Harnesses?
Mary in Alabama
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