The previous owner of my van spliced it to the cigarette lighter i think.  Seems to work fine for hours.  I've left the radio on overnight on more than one occasion.  Now that I have a remote though I never have to leave the bed!

Jeff

>
> From: joel walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
> Date: 2006/10/31 Tue PM 02:15:41 CST
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 85 Westy  radio connection
>
> > 85 West doesn't have accessory position on ignition.
> > Does it hurt ignition etc. to play radio with key on
> > and motor not started?
> how can radio be connected to power when
> > key is off. Move connection on fuse panel?
>
> someone i know got sneaky in his rabbit ... he found the power wire to
> the ignition switch key-left-in buzzer (the one that goes off when/if
> you leave the keys in the switch AND open the door) and used it to
> power the radio. that way, he could just leave the key IN the switch
> (but not turned to any position) and listen to the radio. take the key
> out, and the radio goes off. :)  neat, eh?
>
> now the not-so-neat part: i don't know which wire it is. so i'm
> assuming you'd have to backtrack the color from the little door jamb
> switch and find out which relay it goes to and piggy back power from
> the relay. he just showed me how it worked, not how he wired it. :(
>
> hope it helps. good luck!
> unca joel
>