Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 07:13:00 -0400
Reply-To: Mike Edwards <medwards1@TRIAD.RR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Edwards <medwards1@TRIAD.RR.COM>
Subject: aux batteries and stereos
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I installed an additinal fuse pannel that is attached to the aux battery. I then installed a STDP switch in an open spot on the dash. My local RV shop actually had a rocker that says "aux/main" and fits in one of the open switch spots on instrument pannel, but any generic switch from your FLAPS will work. The STDP switch has one wire going to the aux fuse box for constant power that does not require the ignition switch to be on. The other wire goes to the main fuse box that does require the switch to be on. When driving in town throw switch to "main" and radio turns on/off with key. When parked / camping throw switch to "aux" and radio is on without key. Radio yellow (constant power memory) is attached to the main fuse box. Found this tip in the archives last year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 11:12:57 -0700
From: Clint Kolda <clint_kolda@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: aux batteries and stereos
I have an 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia with the factory auxiliary battery. The stereo is wired so that the key has to be in the 'on' position to power it. The other day I took the van to the local drive-in theater and had to leave the key on during the movie. It did not seem like the best thing to do for an extended period. I would like to power the radio with the aux battery. The stereo is an old Sony cheapo tape deck. The previous owner wired the power lead by pulling a fuse out of the fuse box, jamming the wire into the socket and replacing the fuse to hold it in place. This is the circuit that has power with the key on. I assume there is also another wire somewhere that retains memory in the stereo.
I want to simply remove the hacked wire from the fuse box and run it to the aux battery with an inline fuse. Can I leave the other power wire to the radio hooked to the main battery? Will this cause some sort of weird loop that may inadvertently drain the main battery somehow? My thought is that I can run the radio and refrigerator while camping and completely drain the battery but the stereo memory will still be retained.
Also, is there any chance there are any wires in the fuse box area that run to the aux battery? If I have to run a new wire, where is the best place to route it?
