TR2/3/3A TR3 Radio

[tinman58]

My Wife and I just got back from S.F.to see the Blue Angels fly! (I want one)
But sitting in the stop and go traffic we think we need some form of entertainment. The Tr has positive ground, I don't want to make anything that I can"t remove quickly. AM,FM, and may be a c/d any ideas?

 

[vivdownunder]

Early AM radios had a switch in the housing for pos or neg earth, but I haven't seen a pos earth option for many years. I had to convert the 3A to neg earth for an AM/FM/CD radio, which I installed in a cradle slung under the battery box. I've also seen radio's installed in a spare cubby box lid with the actual cubby box removed. Both options allow the car to be returned to original.

Viv.

 

[martx-5]

The easiest thing to do is just convert to negative ground. Doesn't cost anything, and can be converted back if you would ever want to.

 

[sp53]

I put a CD player in the glove box and left the vehicle positive ground, just make sure you do not hook the radio antenna up to a positive ground body or use a metal bolt in the back of the box. Art’s suggestion is best because you do get the am/fm radio. I do get fm radio because that uses a different antenna, basically a small wire coming out of the radio antenna, but not needing the body ground. My fm reception is poor and if anybody here has an idea on how to improve the fm reception I would like to hear.
Steve

 

[ekamm]

I have had this on my list of to do's for some time. I found a site where someone had made a bench and installed a system in it as well as some storage. I'm not terribly concerned about originality and thought it to be good idea as mine never had an occasional seat option. Here's the link. https://triumph.daveola.com/Album/Backseat/

 

[apbos]

Dan
There still are some new radio's available in positve ground or negative ground. Saw one about a year ago on ebay. You could also switch to negative ground or use a converter.

I have a TR3 radio plate that you can use to make a copy or you can purchase one from Triumph Rescue . I think which ever method you would use you could make a quick release setup, that you could put in your trunk and it would still look period if you had it in the car. Speakers under the back seat and you've got tunes when stuck on Hwy 580!

Paul

 

[TR3driver]

You could also switch to negative ground or use a converter.

Just to amplify a bit, there are converters available that will supply the +12v (relative to ground) that the radio needs, even though your battery is wired to supply -12v (relative to ground). Very effective, and safer than just doing the "isolated ground" bit; but last time I checked, the price for the converter could be more than the radio itself. JCW had some that were totally inadequate, while a unit with enough power for a modern stereo was over $100.