Antenna Wiring

hotballs · 07-08-2012, 01:23 PM

I'm looking for some electrical help.

Here's the problem. I got a used electric antenna for my e28 only the circuit board has been removed and someone has directly wired the white and red plug directly to the positive and negative of the electric motor.

The way the antennas normally work is that there is 12V hot at all times running from the red wire and 12V when the radio is in the ON position running to the white white wire. There is a black wire for ground.

The antenna I have is simply two leads running to the electric motor. Put power to red and ground white, motor makes the antenna go up. Reverse the leads, put power to white and ground to red the antenna goes back down.

My question is, how can I wire up something which uses the factory connector and goes UP with the radio turned ON and goes back DOWN with the radio is turned OFF. This is the original intention of the antenna and what the circuit board that is no longer there did.

Here's a picture of my old antenna with a fried circuit board and the used one without the circuit board.

Using relays or something how can I wire something up so it goes up with the radio on and down with the radio off? Is it possible? I don't want to run an extra switch.

jeffnhiscars · 07-08-2012, 02:03 PM

I believe the circuit board tells the motor when to stop at full up or down so I'm not sure it can be bypassed. Used ones are around for a reasonable price.

hotballs · 07-08-2012, 03:18 PM

Yes, in my post I say that I want to replicate what the circuit board does with relays and switches and make it do what it's supposed to do etc. I'm tired of buying used junk that doesn't work, people say they tested it and it works etc, and then you get it and the mast is all bent or it's been rewired as above. Just trying to make what I have work.

StereoInstaller1 · 07-09-2012, 11:15 AM

You cannot duplicate the stock functions without some form of controller...give up now, don't waste your time. Or, let me ask you this: do you really think that circuit board can be replicated by a pile of relays and shit? Did BMW waste a whole bunch of time making that board?

Is it really that hard to find an antenna? I bet there are 10 of them here, if not more.

GL!
Luke

hotballs · 07-09-2012, 03:01 PM

Thanks Luke, I was looking for you when I posted that. I thought MAYBE there might be a sequence of relays and switches that would allow it to do the same thing. I found something online, but I didn't really understand the terminology.

So you're telling me you don't build circuit boards?

StereoInstaller1 · 07-10-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotballs

Thanks Luke, I was looking for you when I posted that. I thought MAYBE there might be a sequence of relays and switches that would allow it to do the same thing. I found something online, but I didn't really understand the terminology.

So you're telling me you don't build circuit boards?

Dammit Jim, I'm an installer not a doctor!

07-08-2012, 01:23 PM	#1
hotballs E30 Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,074 Images: 37	Antenna Wiring I'm looking for some electrical help. Here's the problem. I got a used electric antenna for my e28 only the circuit board has been removed and someone has directly wired the white and red plug directly to the positive and negative of the electric motor. The way the antennas normally work is that there is 12V hot at all times running from the red wire and 12V when the radio is in the ON position running to the white white wire. There is a black wire for ground. The antenna I have is simply two leads running to the electric motor. Put power to red and ground white, motor makes the antenna go up. Reverse the leads, put power to white and ground to red the antenna goes back down. My question is, how can I wire up something which uses the factory connector and goes UP with the radio turned ON and goes back DOWN with the radio is turned OFF. This is the original intention of the antenna and what the circuit board that is no longer there did. Here's a picture of my old antenna with a fried circuit board and the used one without the circuit board. Using relays or something how can I wire something up so it goes up with the radio on and down with the radio off? Is it possible? I don't want to run an extra switch.

07-08-2012, 02:03 PM	#2
jeffnhiscars E30 Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,391	I believe the circuit board tells the motor when to stop at full up or down so I'm not sure it can be bypassed. Used ones are around for a reasonable price. __________________ 87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220 89 Cabrio (avatar pic) is now FS http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/3776023139.html 84 318i, 5 spd swap, Eibach Prokits, Bilstein Sports, 16" BBS RK's, JB flywheel, Bavauto headers, Ansa 06 550i blk\blk 04 911 01 530i Topaz blue\tan 74 Alfa GTV2000 silver\blk 71 Citroen SM traded for a boat (less maintenance)

07-09-2012, 11:15 AM	#4
StereoInstaller1 GAS Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 21,053	You cannot duplicate the stock functions without some form of controller...give up now, don't waste your time. Or, let me ask you this: do you really think that circuit board can be replicated by a pile of relays and shit? Did BMW waste a whole bunch of time making that board? Is it really that hard to find an antenna? I bet there are 10 of them here, if not more. GL! Luke __________________ THE 'VERT BOX IS BACK Click HERE FREE SHIPPING AND FREE T-SHIRT! (if you promise to show it off) Click HERE Tutorials: Killer $500 Stereo \| E30 Vert Dual 8'' Box Installation \| E3010 Amp Rack Installation \| Radio Wiring and Amp Bypass

07-08-2012, 03:18 PM	#3
hotballs E30 Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,074 Images: 37	Yes, in my post I say that I want to replicate what the circuit board does with relays and switches and make it do what it's supposed to do etc. I'm tired of buying used junk that doesn't work, people say they tested it and it works etc, and then you get it and the mast is all bent or it's been rewired as above. Just trying to make what I have work.

07-09-2012, 03:01 PM	#5
hotballs E30 Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,074 Images: 37	Thanks Luke, I was looking for you when I posted that. I thought MAYBE there might be a sequence of relays and switches that would allow it to do the same thing. I found something online, but I didn't really understand the terminology. So you're telling me you don't build circuit boards?