I like relays. I have them on all the applicable lights and accessories.
Any suggestion as to the details?

Jim

On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 9:57 AM Jon VO <jondvo@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, my understanding is a bit different; the ignition switch controls
> /switched/ power to the stereo, and is the source of the amplifier &
> control power which is usually multiple amps for a high-powered stereo.
> The other continuous power lead is supposed to draw only a few milliamps
> to keep the memory charged and for control functions, and is powered all
> the time. At least that is the way the stereos worked when the Vanagon
> was current. If you want to reduce the current through the ignition
> switch, you would need to add a relay, and I believe some newer vehicles
> already do this.
> Jon
>
> On 9/1/2015 8:45 AM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
> > The keying wire itself draws little current, it just provides a signal
> > voltage to the unit to put it to sleep or wake it up. The designers
> > assume that you don't want to draw a bunch of amperes through your
> > ignition circuit, so it's the the always-on wire that is the main source
> > of power for the unit.
> >
> > How much current the unit itself draws from its always-on wire when
> > asleep (standby) is a matter of design. But the key wire is not a
> > significant current-drawer.
> >
> > What I'm saying is that you can put the unit into standby with the key
> > wire and it can still be drawing hundreds of milliamperes through its
> > always-on wire. That's the one you have to watch out for.
> >
> > --
> > Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> > 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> > Bend, Ore.
> >
> > On 09/01/2015 07:30 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
> >> I remember when you went through all that, about the same time I bought
> >> my radio. So, using the keyed hot wire will draw very little or no
> >> current? I like the idea from a previous post that I could install a
> >> switch to connect it to either circuit, aways hot and switched hot.
> >>
> >> Jim
> >>
> >> On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 9:26 AM Rocket J Squirrel
> >> <camping.elliott@gmail.com <mailto:camping.elliott@gmail.com>> wrote:
> >>
> >>     Many car stereos/radios don't really turn off. They mute and the
> >> front
> >>     panel goes dark, the power amp sections shut down, and the
> >> controls go
> >>     to sleep, but they are still partially on and drawing current. I
> >> guess
> >>     the manufacturers assume that you drive your car frequently.
> >>
> >>     The current draw is through the main power wire, the other wire,
> >>     frequently connected to the ignition switch, doesn't draw much
> >> current
> >>     at all -- it is used to signal the unit to wake up.
> >>
> >>     I had to search high and low to find a unit that actually powers
> >> off --
> >>     not only from the front panel power button, but from the remote,
> >> too. So
> >>     I could turn off the music when I get into bed rather than have
> >> to lean
> >>     up to the dash to shut things down.
> >>
> >>     --
> >>     Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> >>     1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> >>     Bend, Ore.
> >>
> >>     On 09/01/2015 06:08 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
> >>      > About a month ago I wrote about having installed two pairs of USB
> >>     ports and
> >>      > an LED voltage display in my Vanagon. The round double outlet on
> >>     the dash
> >>      > took the place of my factory Eberspacher heater knob and the
> >>      > outlet-and-voltmeter combination set neatly into what was the
> >>     rear ashtray.
> >>      >
> >>      > That's when I noticed a drop in voltage that would flatten the
> >>     battery
> >>      > after a couple of days of being parked. Long story made very
> >> short, I
> >>      > discovered that it was my radio in standby mode that was
> >> draining the
> >>      > battery. I pulled the fuse to the radio on Saturday and this
> >>     morning the
> >>      > voltage is showing 12.9, exactly where it was when I pulled
> >> the fuse.
> >>      >
> >>      > The reason that this was unknown to me all this time is that
> >>     coincident
> >>      > with the addition of the USB ports the Vanagon was, except for
> >>     use of my
> >>      > wife's Prius, my daily driver had been the Vanagon. When I got a
> >>     TDI Jetta
> >>      > the Vanagon started sitting for days or a week at a time, and
> >>     that's when
> >>      > the problem showed up.
> >>      >
> >>      > I could wire the radio to the switched 12v circuit that no doubt
> >>     came with
> >>      > it, but then I would have to have the key on to listen to
> >> music while
> >>      > camping. Is anyone using a switch on the circuit, and if so how
> >>     was it done
> >>      > and how does it work out for you?
> >>      >
> >>      > Jim
> >>      >
> >>
>