Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:24:33 -0700
Reply-To: chrisrvanagon <chrisrvanagon@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: chrisrvanagon <chrisrvanagon@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Wiring radio to accessory instead of battery?
In-Reply-To: <34993.56479.qm@web81707.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I have the same concerns. I just did a simple upgrade to a new head unit,
using the old wiring, which was set up to be 'always hot'. I had no problem
with the old unit retaining memory, or running the battery down. And I do
like being able to run the unit without the ignition engaged.
HOWEVER, my new unit also sports a lit "pilot" LED, always on, in the
detachable face. Although somewhat dim, I have taken to removing the
detachable face so as not to run this LED. And, I hope there is no other
"lively" circuitry in the un-faced head unit that draws more than the old
one.
Should I worry about that one LED?
ChrisR in SF
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Evan Mac Donald
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 11:43 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Wiring radio to accessory instead of battery?
Your Vanagon does not have an accessory wire at ANY location. The ignition
switch does not have that function in it. It has three positions: OFF, RUN,
and START. If you wire the "radio" to the "ign. on", then the ignition
circuit will need to be powered up to run the radio. Not a bad thing IF THE
ENGINE IS RUNNING! If the engine is NOT running, but the circuit remains
powered up for extended periods, BAD things will happen. Fried electronic
components being the most serious - and expensive.
I would suggest looking closely at what is going on with that radio. I
installed an aftermarket radio in my van. It was wired for two seperate
power sources. one always hot, for memory, ant the other accessory hot, for
radio function. I wired them both to the standard Vanagon power source,
which is always hot. It has not run my battery down, even in the coldest
stretches here in Michigan. That radio has now been in for just short of a
year.
If you are shutting off the radio with its' switch, then the draw on the
battery from the radio SHOULD be very small. An ordinary car battery will
support that kind of draw for months. It is no more than the standard
Vanagon clock, and those can (and have) lasted for over six months!
If you wish to have a seperate switch, you will need to add one on your
own, with the output only going to the radio.
Ellen in Oregon <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
Yes, there are two wires coming off the new unit, one to go to Accessory
(for power) and the other to battery (for memory) my problem is the Vanagon
does not have an accessory wire at the radio location.
Ellen
----Original Message Follows----
From: Trvlr2001@comcast.net
To: Ellen in Oregon , vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
CC: subaruvanagon@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Wiring radio to accessory instead of battery?
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 18:03:40 +0000
If my ole foggy 60's memory serves me,
( I remember 67 like it was yesterday, but,
it IS remembering yesterday that I have the problem with !! :o)
There are two hot wire circuits to hook up
on most? stereos.
One goes to the switch circuit, &
One goes to the bat. (always on circuit).
So, I guess they're counting on the car battery
being up to snuff ?
Electrical / Stereo wizards please jump in.
I'm curious too.
best,
John C...
SLC, UT
ps: buy KEP ;o)
love ya Hobert !! :o)
Ya know, seriously,
the conversion lists,owe that Vanagon conversion, founding father)guy a lot
!!!
_________________________________________________________________
It's tax season, make sure to follow these few simple tips
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/PreparationTips/PreparationTips.a
spx?icid=HMMartagline
