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Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 14:39 Go to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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The wife likes to listen to the radio. I don't so I got her a new radio with CD player and a remote so she can control the volume and station.

When we're parked she likes to listen to the radio also and since we have SIRUS it's pretty simple, just turn the key to accessory and there it is. The only 'problem' is that the dash lights and some 'other' stuff come on also, like my digipanel and backup camera. No big thing but a question.

OK, so the radio has a 12V constant wire AND a 12V switched wire. If I were to wire both 12V lines up to the same constant 12V, we'd just have to turn the radio off/on manually but wouldn't need a key in the ignition or have any lights on in the dash.

Any reason I don't want to do that? Thoughts?


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262248 is a reply to message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 14:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 18 September 2014 14:39
The wife likes to listen to the radio. I don't so I got her a new radio with CD player and a remote so she can control the volume and station.

When we're parked she likes to listen to the radio also and since we have SIRUS it's pretty simple, just turn the key to accessory and there it is. The only 'problem' is that the dash lights and some 'other' stuff come on also, like my digipanel and backup camera. No big thing but a question.

OK, so the radio has a 12V constant wire AND a 12V switched wire. If I were to wire both 12V lines up to the same constant 12V, we'd just have to turn the radio off/on manually but wouldn't need a key in the ignition or have any lights on in the dash.

Any reason I don't want to do that? Thoughts?
Isn't the "correct fix" to get it off the chassis battery and wire it to run off the house battery bank?
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262249 is a reply to message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 14:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
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Kerry some radios have amplifiers that require more power than just the clock memory and will drain the battery. I have my 12v to house battery and my switched on a separate lighted switch in a hole in my dash that was already there.



Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 18 September 2014 15:39
The wife likes to listen to the radio. I don't so I got her a new radio with CD player and a remote so she can control the volume and station.

When we're parked she likes to listen to the radio also and since we have SIRUS it's pretty simple, just turn the key to accessory and there it is. The only 'problem' is that the dash lights and some 'other' stuff come on also, like my digipanel and backup camera. No big thing but a question.

OK, so the radio has a 12V constant wire AND a 12V switched wire. If I were to wire both 12V lines up to the same constant 12V, we'd just have to turn the radio off/on manually but wouldn't need a key in the ignition or have any lights on in the dash.

Any reason I don't want to do that? Thoughts?



C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262251 is a reply to message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 15:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Carlton is currently offline  Gary Carlton   United States
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I installed an ARC 8000 switch panel that allows me to bypass the column mounted ignition and separate pretty much everything in the cab. There are 8 individual fused/relayed circuits that can be tied to the Ignition-ON or left as stand alone.
In my setup, the lights, instruments, vacuum pump, wipers, blower and backup camera ('computer') are tied into the Ignition-ON switch. The radio and airbags ('offroad') are on their own. As long as I have the battery switch turned on, I can listen to the radio or adjust airbags to my content without having to power the entire system. Plus when I park it and turn off the battery switch, almost the entire cab electrical system is disconnected. Eventually I will wire a relay from this panel to the headlights to get them off a direct draw from the battery. The ignition key only acts to unlock the steering column.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/projects/p53460-arc8000-installation-behind-visor-and-in-glove-box.html


'78 Royale, "Road Grub" Bellingham, WA
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262256 is a reply to message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 16:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Otterwan   United States
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Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 18 September 2014 12:39
The wife likes to listen to the radio. I don't so I got her a new radio with CD player and a remote so she can control the volume and station.

When we're parked she likes to listen to the radio also and since we have SIRUS it's pretty simple, just turn the key to accessory and there it is. The only 'problem' is that the dash lights and some 'other' stuff come on also, like my digipanel and backup camera. No big thing but a question.

OK, so the radio has a 12V constant wire AND a 12V switched wire. If I were to wire both 12V lines up to the same constant 12V, we'd just have to turn the radio off/on manually but wouldn't need a key in the ignition or have any lights on in the dash.

Any reason I don't want to do that? Thoughts?


Short answer is yes, that would work. My radio is wired that way. I would recommend, as others have, that you wire it to the house battery, so that you don't forget and leave it on and drain the starting battery. I also would consider installing a coach battery cut off switch, since as they are wired stock everything wired to the coach battery is live all the time.


1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262267 is a reply to message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 18:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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We don't boondock and any time the radio would be on we will be driving or parked with the exception of eating lunch in a rest area or similar. Since I'm going to redo the dash this winter, I'll just wire the two 12V lines together for now. Wiring it into the house is a good idea but will take more time than I have getting ready to leave for Wisconsin.

Thanks


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262268 is a reply to message #262246] Thu, 18 September 2014 18:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 18 September 2014 12:39
The wife likes to listen to the radio. I don't so I got her a new radio with CD player and a remote so she can control the volume and station.

When we're parked she likes to listen to the radio also and since we have SIRUS it's pretty simple, just turn the key to accessory and there it is. The only 'problem' is that the dash lights and some 'other' stuff come on also, like my digipanel and backup camera. No big thing but a question.

OK, so the radio has a 12V constant wire AND a 12V switched wire. If I were to wire both 12V lines up to the same constant 12V, we'd just have to turn the radio off/on manually but wouldn't need a key in the ignition or have any lights on in the dash.

Any reason I don't want to do that? Thoughts?


Kerry,

That's EXACTLY the way Jim Bounds recommended that I wire my new Kenwood I installed last year. I took power off of the house side of the boost solenoid under the right hood. To turn off the stereo deck, all I have to do is press on the lower left corner of the removable face and pop it loose. It retains the settings, but draws no power otherwise. I don't worry about eventually draining my house batteries since I have solar. Before the solar charging system, I kept the coach plugged in all the time.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[Updated on: Thu, 18 September 2014 18:35]

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Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262269 is a reply to message #262268] Thu, 18 September 2014 18:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Typo: wire, not wore. (for the emailers)

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262283 is a reply to message #262267] Thu, 18 September 2014 21:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 18 September 2014 16:32
We don't boondock and any time the radio would be on we will be driving or parked with the exception of eating lunch in a rest area or similar. Since I'm going to redo the dash this winter, I'll just wire the two 12V lines together for now. Wiring it into the house is a good idea but will take more time than I have getting ready to leave for Wisconsin.

Thanks


It's trivially simple to run a new power wire from the house side of the boost solenoid. It will take you all of five minutes whenever you decide to do it, ten at the most. By the way, Jim Bounds has the perfect replacement speaker for the overhead speaker panel. I also added a pair of 6" speakers to the side panels and 'cross wired' them to make up for the width of the coach (also Jim Bounds' suggestion and speakers).


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Running the radio on the accessory position [message #262309 is a reply to message #262283] Fri, 19 September 2014 10:04 Go to previous message
kerry pinkerton is currently offline  kerry pinkerton   United States
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Registered: July 2012
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Carl S. wrote on Thu, 18 September 2014 21:31
It's trivially simple to run a new power wire from the house side of the boost solenoid. It will take you all of five minutes whenever you decide to do it, ten at the most. ...


Done and works fine. Took a bit longer than 5 minutes but not much, had to pull the dash cover and the radio to find the dang wire in the wiring harness.


Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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