For me it was the convenience factor.  Replaced the radio last winter, and
wired it to constant power.  Then a month later rewired the power to the
"key in" power.  It was a matter of convenience, I use the Van a lot for
around town, running errands, etc.   It was just too much of a hassle to
turn the darn thing on and off every time I stopped.  It is no more
difficult than wiring to constant power, just remove the steering wheel
lower covers, find the grey wire (I think it was grey), and splice into
it.  I think instructions are on BTDT.

Roland

On Wed, Dec 28, 2011 at 5:46 PM, Art <awa0330@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm replacing my radio in my '86 Vanagon Westy.  I plan on wiring it
> directly to the battery so that it will operate without the ignition or key
> in the slot. Isn't this simpler, except for the obvious downside, which is
> that I'll need to remember to actually turn on and off the radio by
> depressing the on/off button? Am I missing something?
>
> Art
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 25, 2011, at 9:00 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>
>  Date:    Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:36:33 -0800
>> From:    Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
>> Subject: Re: radio
>>
>> a handy thing to remember is for radios that like an accessory
>> position on
>> the ignition switch ..that vanagons don't have ..
>> is get that from the key buzzer wire ..
>> then you can have engine and ignition off, and radio playing ..all
>> you need
>> is the inserted key.
>>
>> I was pleased to see that's how my 93 Eurovan poptop MV
>> is..........stock.
>>
>> merry !
>> Scott
>> www.turbovans.com
>>
>