Kobalt tool box

[Fixnair]

My wonderful wife just bought me that big Kobalt tool box from Lowes for my retirement gift. The biggest one they have, with lights and a radio. What a sweetheart!
Anyway I have a question for you owners out there regarding the radio. Mine has a lot of static in the AM band, wether or not the overhead flourescect lights are on. And it never really shuts off when you push the off button. The radio goes off but the button lights stay on. Is this normal?

I know this is not a big deal but it would be nice th listen to the radio without static.

Otherwise the tool box is great. I almost have it filled. Don't know if there will be room left for the tools in my truck. Might have to get another one.LOL!

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Brownsfan]

You need to press and hold the off button. Just pressing it will only put it in stand by. Getting better am will be tough. It's a pioneer radio and that is a Japanese company. Am does not exist in Japan so the am tuner is only there because it's in the USA. The am tuners are not that good. Getting better reception will in love taking it apart and adding a better ground to the antenna cable itself. Even then it will only marginally increase it. I have the same box but with the fridge. I wish I would have waited and got the one with the extra drawers. It's not a pro box but it's GREAT for the home garage.

 

[Super Sport]

I doubt the light on the power button ever turns off. Most aftermarket car receivers like that keep the power button illuminated even when off. If all your buttons stay illuminated, you're probably putting it on standby as the poster above me mentioned.

 

[hifi_hokie]

It's a pioneer radio and that is a Japanese company. Am does not exist in Japan so the am tuner is only there because it's in the USA. The am tuners are not that good.

- Japan uses both AM & VHF FM broadcasting bands. Their channel allocations are slightly different than ours, but it's the same technology.

- Some of the best-regarded AM/FM tuners were built in Japan (including Pioneer, Sansui, Rotel, Marantz, etc). Not to mention basically every shortwave-capable amateur radio transceiver on the market today (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, etc).

 

[blackz26]

Is it off demo mode? My dads radio turns off all the way in his box. Watch how you shut the lid for the radio slot, it could turn it back on.

On a different point, them led lights are worthless.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

Pioneer makes a great tuner.
You are probably sharing a circuit with the lights, test it on a different circuit with an extension cord. Also, AM reception indoors tends to be marginal at best.
Congrat's on the new box and give your honey an extra squeeze tonight.

 

[Jbizzle]

Where's the pics?!?!?!

 

[route246]

AM radio is alive and well in Japan. I listen to it whenever I'm there.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_radio_stations_in_Japan

You need to press and hold the off button. Just pressing it will only put it in stand by. Getting better am will be tough. It's a pioneer radio and that is a Japanese company. Am does not exist in Japan so the am tuner is only there because it's in the USA. The am tuners are not that good. Getting better reception will in love taking it apart and adding a better ground to the antenna cable itself. Even then it will only marginally increase it. I have the same box but with the fridge. I wish I would have waited and got the one with the extra drawers. It's not a pro box but it's GREAT for the home garage.

 

[Conductor562]

That's a thoughtful retirement gift. My wife develops a tick at the mere mention of tools. When the UPS truck comes down the street she starts bitching and asking what I ordered this time, lol. Age has afforded me wisdom to now have them shipped to the office

Congratulations on your retirement!

 

[CWP1616L]

Run a coaxial cable from the receiver to a TV roof antenna.

Use this adapter:

 

[Fixnair]

OK here is a picture. I pressed the off button and held it probably 10 seconds and the lights did not go out. The radio goes off and the readout does go to time and stays there but all the buttons remain lit.
I have improved reception immensely with a jumper wire attached to the ceiling. The cheap antenna broke off while I was testing it so I attached the jumper wire to the stub where the antenna was.

 

[Fixnair]

Here is the second pic

 

[blackz26]

Press the clock button on the face plate.

 

[Brownsfan]

OK here is a picture. I pressed the off button and held it probably 10 seconds and the lights did not go out. The radio goes off and the readout does go to time and stays there but all the buttons remain lit.
I have improved reception immensely with a jumper wire attached to the ceiling. The cheap antenna broke off while I was testing it so I attached the jumper wire to the stub where the antenna was.

That EXACT same thing happened to me today. After this thread I started messing with it and broke the antenna. Wrapped a piece of wire around the stud and ran it up the wall and bam better reception. I am guessing I have a older model pioneer and that's how mine turns off. Post a pic of the radio and I may be able to help

 

[Fixnair]

Today I turned off the power at the surge suppressor for about three hours. When I turned the surge suppressor back on and then the radio, I had no presets. All gone!

Here is a picture of the radio. This is what off looks like.

 

[bcradio]

Nice box there.

 

[blackz26]

Today I turned off the power at the surge suppressor for about three hours. When I turned the surge suppressor back on and then the radio, I had no presets. All gone!

Here is a picture of the radio. This is what off looks like.

And I bet it went back to demo mode? Just like unhooking a car battery

 

[Brownsfan]

OK here is a picture. I pressed the off button and held it probably 10 seconds and the lights did not go out. The radio goes off and the readout does go to time and stays there but all the buttons remain lit.
I have improved reception immensely with a jumper wire attached to the ceiling. The cheap antenna broke off while I was testing it so I attached the jumper wire to the stub where the antenna was.

I really wish I would have waited and got the one like yours. I don't use the fridge for a fridge. It holds tools with blow molded cases right now. Kinda ran out of room. It is the perfect home owner box. Holds a ton of tools and has a nice loud radio and power outlets for drill chargers.

 

[dandan111]

Nice tool box!

 

[Kracin]

Today I turned off the power at the surge suppressor for about three hours. When I turned the surge suppressor back on and then the radio, I had no presets. All gone!

Here is a picture of the radio. This is what off looks like.

so holding the SRC button down for a few second doesn't turn it off??? most pioneer head units work this way. if it doesn't work, i would look at what the manual that came with it says

 

[kennedyd]

I've had the kobalt with the pioneer radio for a couple years and all of a sudden the radio will not turn on ....no lights nothing. Anyone else with this problem?