Date:         Thu, 7 Mar 2002 08:45:58 -0800
Reply-To:     Steve Johnson <stevej@WB32TV.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Johnson <stevej@WB32TV.COM>
Organization: WB32
Subject:      Re: Introductions and electrical questions
Comments: To: "vanagons@NTPLX.NET" <vanagons@NTPLX.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Also, most VW radios have the main power "always on" (at least in my experience).
So you can listen without having the ignition on.
My dashboard clock, radio and 12 vokt socket (cig. lighter) are all wired together and always on.
I am almost sure it is fuse #3. That's what blew when I was installing the radio and the new socket w/light.
Both times I thought I could do it without blowing the fuse, but just like that game "Operation" I blew it.

Steve Johnson
' 91 Carat

-----Original Message-----
From:   Douglas Ford [SMTP:vanagons@NTPLX.NET]
Sent:   Thursday, March 07, 2002 8:16 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: Introductions and electrical questions

Jeremy,
I could answer part of your question, about the radio.
Your radio/tape has what is called a "battery-backup" wire in the back
of the unit. It is usually marked somehow (depends on the brand) BB, or
aux, or something that shows it is different than the main power lead.
It is usually a small red or yellow wire. This lead supplies power to
the radio when ignition is off, keeping station settings, time, last
volume settings, etc. What I've seen with other radios installed by
novices is this wire is connected to the main power lead, instead of
running a separate lead from the fusebox.
Hence, forgets stations! You need to add a wire from an "always on"
source to this lead on your radio, or take your van into an auto radio
installation shop and have them do it.
Hope this helps!
Doug
'90 GL