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View Full Version : Belkin mod not working


crazybob
07-29-2008, 08:02 PM
I modified a Tunecast II recently, and followed the instructions at christmasdisplays.net. Only problem is, I still can't get a signal for more than a few feet! I have even tried hooking the wire to a HUGE antnna in our attic! For some reason, The tunecast will not work off a power supply, only batteries. Would getting one that works off a power supply help amplify the signal? Has anyone else had this problem?
Sickie Ickie
07-30-2008, 07:58 AM
carzybob, are you wanting to convert it to a power supply? If so you'll have to use a converter to convert your wall wart (AC) into the appropriate voltage (DC). Because wallwarts are AC and batteries are DC.
crazybob
07-30-2008, 12:28 PM
I tried using the car adaptor that came with it. Didn't work in my truck. Tried a wall-wart with a 12vDC output. Didn't work either. Runs off batteries, but can't get a signal for more than a few feet, even after the mod. I bought it off Ebay... when I opened it to do the mod there was something slimy spilled on the circut board (came to me that way). Do you think that could have anything to do with it?
Sickie Ickie
07-30-2008, 08:36 PM
possibly. What voltage does it take?
crazybob
07-31-2008, 06:27 AM
It takes 2 "AAA" batteries, or a 12vDC adaptor.
Sickie Ickie
07-31-2008, 08:10 AM
2 AAA batteries = 3 volts DC

Are you running it from home or from your car? You could adapt a cell phone charger to run it from AC.
crazybob
07-31-2008, 12:58 PM
I've tried running it from the car with the included 12vDC car adapter, and also using a 12vDC wall wart. It's marked on the bottom of the unit that the required input is 12vDC... why would it say that if it only runs off 3vDC with the batteries?
Sickie Ickie
07-31-2008, 07:01 PM
12 vDC is the input from your car if it's the input marked on your charger, is the output to your unit 3v?

If 12vDC is marked as the power needed to power your unit, I have no idea why it's only using 2 AAA batteries. Weird question, but are you sure there are no other places to add batteries? If it does need 12vDC and it's only using 3vDC, that could be the reason for the weak signal.
crazybob
07-31-2008, 07:56 PM
Yeah, ther's only the one battery compartment. I wonder if there's n internal resistor to bring the 12v down to 3v. I'm starting to think the unit I got may just be defective.
Sickie Ickie
07-31-2008, 08:23 PM
only costs about $8? May be worth buying another one.