Tesla style radio

Hello Tundra brothers I'm hoping someone on here can help me out. I just purchased and Installed a tesla style head unit on my 2012 Tundra. I have ran Into a problem with install I have some engine noise when I drive and my battery meter shows that it is draining the battery when idling, when driving it goes towards the middle but still not where it should be. As far as I can tell everything is connected correctly. Have any of you installed one of these and had similar problems that you were able to solve? My local shop I usually go to won't mess with it cause there is no instructions with it. Another shop quoted me $750 to install it, there is no way I will pay $750.

 

well for one it'd be nice to include a picture/model or more information about the headunit. If no instructions came with it I'm sure it's a cheap chinese knockoff and the engine noise just may be a side effect of the low quality of it. Also, one thing to check would be any wires you had to tap into, or use butt connectors and the likes. Soldering connections is more time consuming but will assure you have good solid connections and minimize any engine noise/loose connection issue most of the time.

 

Sounds like a grounding issue.

 

Have you tried swapping the stock head unit back in to see if the problem is still there? A lot of those units are sketchy quality and you get what you pay for. Have you reached out to the vendor that you bought it from?

 

I paid just about $800 for the unit, I have reached out to the vendor but am having a hard time getting a response they are taking forever to get back to me. I bought through Amazon and they haven't really gotten involved yet. It's pretty much a plug and play I didn't have to splice any wires the only connection I used that was not from the factory harness was the Amp power wire.

 

Did you install an amp at the same time as the head until swap? That would be a more likely source of interference/noise. Check your grounds and make sure you separate power and ground from your signal wires.

 

You have something in your amp area wiring causing it or a ground issue @Froggmann.
Try spreading your rca cables apart and see if it helps you, assuming your radio chassis is grounded tight.

 

I already had an aftermarket head unit installed that worked fine but this new one looks so much better. I have two amps installed one for highs and the other for bass maybe the Amp power wire is too close to the RCA's?

 

Exactly my thought direction Froggmann
I had a similar issue that caused me to have a whine as well. Scooted the rca,s around the board some and calmed it back down.

 

I'm more concerned about the battery issue I'm going on long trip and the last thing I need is to get stranded with a dead battery in Laughlin when it's 120 degrees out

 

Did you disconnect the battery in it?
I’d have swapped it hot

 

@RdKing what do you mean swap it hot? My battery is good only a few months old Interstate specifically for trucks with lots of accessories.

 

Coincidence
I’d tap a test meter on your battery and see if it’s charging

 

I would t have disconnected the battery (hot) to just swap a head unit.
I was seeing if your cables were loose or broken

 

@RdKing I will try testing it to see if it is charging.

 

@CodyP this is what it looks like I got it from Amazon it says the brand is lucky china definitely not something I was happy about I usually go with Alpine, Kenwood or Pioneer for head units but they don't make anything remotely close to this it looks really good in the truck I love my truck but the head unit and interior are definitely a little dated so I wanted to give it a makeover

 

I have 2018 1794 Ed. with JBL system. It sounds very good but no cool features. I have been looking into these tesla styles radios for a couple of months but too expensive considering the QA. I recently decided to give it a try because I found a less expensive version with Android 9. Got it for 471 shipped to my door. I haven't installed because I actually doing some tests. The first thing I tested was the power management to make sure it doesn't drain the battery.

So this is what I did.

I connected the unit to a power supply and monitored the amps/watts consumption in different scenarios.

Case 1: Connected to Power Supply (Battery), Ignition switch on, normal use -> Consumption 1.3 amps
Case 2: Connected to Power Supply (Battery), Ignition switch on, idle (Not using it) -> Consumption 0.7 amps
Case 3: Connected to Power Supply (Battery), Ignition switch OFF, Unit OFF Fast Boot Enabled -> Consumption 0.011 amp

Notes: these scenarios were simulated using a 12v power supply.

So the case 3 is the more critical because the truck is off. For me 0.011 Amp is acceptable.

In your case maybe the ignition wire is connected to a constant power source? That will prevent the unit to switch into a less power consumption mode? That will cause similar results as my Case 2 instead of case 3 above. In my unit a yellow cable is connected to the battery directly and the red cable is connected to the ignition/accessories circuit.



I hope it helps!

 

@Jego Definitely will look into that scenario maybe that's what's going on.

 

It looks like a Phoenix Automotive HU, or at least from the same chinese factory. There is no way your HU or any HU for that matter can pull enough amps to drain your battery while the engine is running. You might be having an issue with your amplifiers, but I'd lay my money on your alternator. I'd go get it tested, then work back from there.

 

Update: So it turned out that my alternator went out. That's what was causing the battery drain. As far as the engine noise i just tightened my grounds and that did the trick thank you all for your feedback and suggestions.

 

Hows the radio doing?

 

@wexttxco radio is doing great i'm really enjoying it. I've been reading other threads on customization for the main screen and other cool stuff i can do to it. All the issues i had in the beginning have been resolved I'm glad i was patient because i almost returned it for a minute and it really does look awesome in the truck. I got compliments on it all the time when people ride in my truck.

 

On my 2018 Tundra my unit (Phoenix Automotive HU) is tied to the OBDII port. When the truck is not in use, the OBDII plugged in, causes the body Control module to stay on. In a few days (if your truck sits idle) with this .5 amp draw your battery will be dead!

The radio noise can be caused by bad diodes in the alternator causing small AC power into the DC system. The amplifier will amplify the AC - that's why the noise will change with engine speed.

Also spark plugs generate lots of high voltage. RCA shielding (RCA has the signal on the center pin and shielding on the outside of the wire) and grounding and clean connection are critical.

 

did you happen to fix the battery drain? I am having the same issue but no idea how to fix it.