I have no idea how my stereo is wired since it was already there when I
bought the van but I don't need the key in or ignition on to use the stereo
and even with the faceplate on, it hardly draws anything when the stereo
power is turned off. And I have no auxiliary switch.

Never had a problem with it draining the battery.

Hmm.... now I'm wondering exactly how it's wired. Sounds like this is what
you were going for? If it ever stops raining, I might go out and have a look
at it to see if I can see what the previous owner did.

 *Annie Anderson* Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom
web: annieandersonblog.com email: lsandrsn@gmail.com
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*Blazin' a trail where there is no path.*

On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 4:01 PM, Alan Felder <dieseldoofus@gmail.com> wrote:

> Mine is a Westy, and the brand of stereo is Dual - and yes, its the same,
> whether or not the faceplate is "in" as long as the switch (ignition or
> separate) is on, there is an inordinant current running through it.
>
> The only improvement in the switch setup is that you don't have to have the
> key on "accessory" and hear the buzzer, and use even more juice.  There
> doesn't appear to be a solution where you can use the remote and actually
> turn the unit off.  It will still draw power and run down your battery.
>  So,
> you have to get up and switch it off.
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 5:39 PM, Richard A Jones <Jones@colorado.edu>
> wrote:
>
> >  Sounds like you have it wired wrong. No car stereo should draw that
> >> much with power off. It should have a "Batt" or "+12 V" connection,
> >> which goes to the always on source. It should also have an "Ignition"
> >> lead, which goes to a source which is switched (usually the key, but
> >> maybe a separate switch). As long as the  "Ignition" connection is off,
> >> it should draw no more than about 10-20 mA.
> >>
> >
> > I want my stereo wired so that I can play it without the key--it's
> > a Westy.  I put in a new Panasonic a few years ago and found that
> > it draws almost its maximum rated if it is OFF and the face plate
> > in left on.  It is running who know what in the display.  Pull
> > off the faceplate and consumption drops to almost nothing.
> >
> > Sort of screwed my idea of using the remote from bed to turn it off.
> > Overnight it will draw something like 12-15 amps, so I crawl out
> > of bed to remove the faceplate.
> >
> > It was clearly designed to NOT be wired the way I did.
> >
> > Richard
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Felder
> Austin TX
> 82 Diesel Westy
>