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artfulljim
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Joined: August 24, 2016
Posts: 21
Location: Indianapolis
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 Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:59 pm Post subject: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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I just purchased a new (to me) 1990 Vanagon Westfalia. It has an after market stereo. Works great. My question is, is there some sort of accessory switch so I can sit in the bus and listen to music without the engine running or power going to the engine?
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Captain Jim Kirk
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ALIKA T3
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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Some people use the "Key In" circuit on the ignition switch while some wire in to the B+ circuit and added a toggle switch to turn the stereo on and off.
Some units you can wire into the B+ circuit without a switch and then go through a procedure given in the stereo's owner's manual to turn the unit off. Popping open the front of the unit can turn it off as well. |
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artfulljim
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Joined: August 24, 2016
Posts: 21
Location: Indianapolis
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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I hadn't thought to try that. Thanks! I'll give it a go!
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Captain Jim Kirk
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artfulljim
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Joined: August 24, 2016
Posts: 21
Location: Indianapolis
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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I didn't realize there was a key in circuit. I'm going to be putting in an aux battery under the driver's seat soon. I'll probably wire it to that later. Thanks!
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Captain Jim Kirk
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Sodo
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Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9605
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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| artfulljim wrote: |
| I didn't realize there was a key in circuit. I'm going to be putting in an aux battery under the driver's seat soon. I'll probably wire it to that later. Thanks! |
I'm using the "key-in" circuit to power the stereo.
My problem is, my stereo "enhances my user-experience" by turning itself on every time I put the key in.
So if I don't actively "turn the stereo off" after every time I put the key in, it drains the battery.
Then my key-in function failed and did not disconnect after the key was pulled out, so the stereo remained on.
I ruined two batteries before figuring out that the problem was a key-in switch failure PLUS an "exceedingly helpful" modern stereo.
Then I took the (OEM, 31 years old) switch apart and lubed it and the problem went away.
Incidentally, the 31 year old OEM switch was in perfect condition inside.
I looked inside an aftermarket switch and it was a POS compared to the OEM switch so I put the OEM switch back.
And bought a Porsche switch to carry as a spare.
I hate the stereo anyway. I want one with knobs that do what I expect them to do.
For example "Off is off". Click.
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Last edited by Sodo on Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:36 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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artfulljim
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Joined: August 24, 2016
Posts: 21
Location: Indianapolis
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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I think that's the way I'll go as well. I must have gremlins that turn up the volume when I shut it off so it surprises me the next time I get in 
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Red Ryder
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Joined: June 26, 2021
Posts: 951
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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If your head unit is newer, it will have two power leads — usually red and yellow. One gets wired to constant +12v (to maintain presets and programming settings), and the other gets switched +12v. Connect the latter thru a simple toggle switch and forget the ignition circuit.
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
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TomInAlaska
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Joined: June 02, 2007
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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Gowesty sells a kit to wire in a three position switch (On-Off-On) to power up the stereo either with the ignition switch like normal or always on and independent of the keyed ignition switch. I copied their kit with a ~$5 toggle switch from Home Depot and some bits of wire and terminals I had laying around. My stereo is powered from the house battery, btw, so it won't draw down the starting battery when listening to it with the engine off. Super easy project and definitely the way to go if you're going to wire in a house batt and plan on using the stereo while camping or whatever.
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50338
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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| Having a timer to cut power to the unit after an hour or so can save your battery. |
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Red Ryder
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Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| Having a timer to cut power to the unit after an hour or so can save your battery. |
Without constant power to the proper lead of your head unit you will lose all presets. This gets frustrating as you have to reset everything each time. Wiring to an aux battery is best, so if the battery should get drained during long periods of non-operation you can still start your van.
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
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16CVs 
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Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4024
Location: Redwood City, California
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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| Sodo wrote: |
Then I took the (OEM, 31 years old) switch apart and lubed it and the problem went away.
Incidentally, the 31 year old OEM switch was in perfect condition inside.
I looked inside an aftermarket switch and it was a POS compared to the OEM switch so I put the OEM switch back. |
Are you talking about the mechanical switch for rebuild? Do you have a part number for the Porsche switch. I'm tired of cheap switches that don't last.
Just for clarity you are referring to original parts as OEM when really it is OE, OE is Original Equipment (came from the factory) OEM is by description not exactly factory but may be close in quality OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer and not always made to the same standards. Just one of my Pet Peeves.
Stacy
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50338
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| Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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| Red Ryder wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
| Having a timer to cut power to the unit after an hour or so can save your battery. |
Without constant power to the proper lead of your head unit you will lose all presets. This gets frustrating as you have to reset everything each time. Wiring to an aux battery is best, so if the battery should get drained during long periods of non-operation you can still start your van. |
Yes and my experience is that the wire colors can be reversed in some unit, thus why I didn't say which wire one needs to have a switch or timer on. |
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bobbyblack
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Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 6:12 am Post subject: Re: 1990 Accessory Switch? |
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Use Caution;
At least around where I live, putting a key in the ignition is analogous to Operating a Vehicle. I have friends who go on hikes with a beer or three in their packs. TWO of them have been dinged with OWI's when they got back to their cars and were only sitting there with the radio on, not the engine running or any sense of the word "driving" nor had they intended on that. Their cars' need for the key in to play the radio cost them both a LOT of money.
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