Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: electrical question - ignition switch
From:Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Date:Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:17:40 -0700

re the key buzzer circuit - I saw a case where someone used that path to
power a radio ( or if there's much current draw, power the radio through a
relay ) ...........
what I always want is ability to operate the radio with the ignition off.
And since vanagon's don't have an accessory position.......
if you wire the radio hot any time..........then you have to be sure to turn
it off when you park the van and leave.

but by usuing the key buzzer path.........and I notice......if the key is
inserted even a tiny bit......that cirucit gets energized..........this
would be a good set up.
I haven't tried it myself, but I thought using that pathway for radio power
control would give you radio with igntion and engine off, as long as the key
was inserted.  Seems like a fine idea to me, as long as it can be set up to
operate safely, like  not draw too much current through small wires and
contacts etc.
scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Collum" <collum@VERIZON.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: electrical question - ignition switch

> Maybe I'm not understanding something ... but when I insert my key into
> the ignition on my '85, that circuit energizes ... whether I turn the
> key or not (I get the key in ignition buzzer when the door is opened).
>
> If I were to add anything to that circuit ... it would just be to
> energize a relay for routing actual power from elsewhere.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> Dennis Haynes wrote:
>> BTW proper operation is the switch doesn't engage until the key is
>> turned,
>> then it should stay closed until the key is removed.