Date:         Sun, 25 Mar 2007 16:13:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Wiring radio to accessory instead of battery?
Comments: To: chrisrvanagon <chrisrvanagon@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <003301c76f2c$5d5bf420$6600a8c0@vash>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Chris, that lone, dim LED is probably drawing about 1mA of current --
.001 amperes, or .001 ampere-hours.

With a 40Ah deep-cycle battery, 40/.001 = 40,000 hours. 4.6 years.

Your battery is self-discharging at a faster rate than that LED could
draw it down.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR



chrisrvanagon typed:
> 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
> !!!
>
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