Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2015 12:35:26 +0000
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Voltage leak found
In-Reply-To: <287417503.58420906.1441151356889.JavaMail.zimbra@dslextreme.com>
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Further efforts to isolate the offending component as suggested in this
thread caused me to replace the fuse in the panel and simply remove the
faceplate from the stereo. Zero voltage drop in 12 hours.
Jim
On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 6:49 PM sailingfc dslextreme.com <
sailingfc@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> I will add to Scott's "key-in buzzer" comment.
>
> I did tap into the 'key-in buzzer' circuit to power a relay that switches
> 12V to accessories of my choice. I then made a "fake" key (strip of Lexan
> plastic on a key ring) I put into the ignition key hole to power up the
> stuff I have on that relay. The "key" does not have to be inserted fully.
> I can keep the real key in my pocket and/or I can lock the van up but still
> have accessories running.
>
> That's what I'm doing.
>
> -Dick-
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:31:16 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: Re: Voltage leak found
>
> Since Vanagons don't have an Accessory position on their ignition switch,
> since many radios draw some current when off,
> since I often want radio on but ignition off,
>
> I always put in a little on-off switch for battery voltage supply to the
> radio.
> sure..one looses the stored radio stations each time, not too big a deal.
>
> another way is to use the 'key-in buzzer' circuit in the ignition switch
> wiring ..
> that way you need the key inserted for radio B+ but the ignition doesn't
> have to be on,
> and you don't have to add a switch somewhere.
>
> scott
> On 9/1/2015 3:08 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
> > About a month ago I wrote about having installed two pairs of USB ports
> and
> > an LED voltage display in my Vanagon. The round double outlet on the dash
> > took the place of my factory Eberspacher heater knob and the
> > outlet-and-voltmeter combination set neatly into what was the rear
> ashtray.
> >
> > That's when I noticed a drop in voltage that would flatten the battery
> > after a couple of days of being parked. Long story made very short, I
> > discovered that it was my radio in standby mode that was draining the
> > battery. I pulled the fuse to the radio on Saturday and this morning the
> > voltage is showing 12.9, exactly where it was when I pulled the fuse.
> >
> > The reason that this was unknown to me all this time is that coincident
> > with the addition of the USB ports the Vanagon was, except for use of my
> > wife's Prius, my daily driver had been the Vanagon. When I got a TDI
> Jetta
> > the Vanagon started sitting for days or a week at a time, and that's when
> > the problem showed up.
> >
> > I could wire the radio to the switched 12v circuit that no doubt came
> with
> > it, but then I would have to have the key on to listen to music while
> > camping. Is anyone using a switch on the circuit, and if so how was it
> done
> > and how does it work out for you?
> >
> > Jim
> >
>
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