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ProspectiveOwnergon Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2020 Posts: 211 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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SyncroHead wrote: |
Here's a look at the stereo I installed last year in my 1987 Syncro and another in my 1989 Westy. It's a Jensen Heavy Duty JHD36A.
I definitely recommend this unit for Vanagons. Has 1980's vintage look and feel with clear display, large buttons, and retro CD player, but with modern features like Bluetooth music and phone connection, Aux and USB inputs and even NOAA Weather channels. It's made and marketed primarily for commercial vehicles like tractors, trucks, perhaps buses.
Get the optional JMICHFP Omnidirectional microphone (sold separately) so you can have hands-free phone calls through the unit. Some sellers sell this without the "pig-tail" wiring harness, but you'll need that.
The metal "V-shaped" bracket at the forward end of the Vanagon's radio space is somewhat in the way to let the unit fully insert and stay straight. I removed the one in my '89 Westy.
You can check it out at Crutchfield:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_522JHD36A/Jensen-Heavy-Duty-JHD36A.html
Crutchfield's model comes with the wiring harness, but you'll need to add the JMICHFP microphone separate.
Jim Davis |
Hey Jim,
When I do the "Will it fit" on crutchfield, it says it doesn't fit the Vanagon. Do you know why crutchfield doesn't say it fits? |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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ProspectiveOwnergon wrote: |
SyncroHead wrote: |
Here's a look at the stereo I installed last year in my 1987 Syncro and another in my 1989 Westy. It's a Jensen Heavy Duty JHD36A.
I definitely recommend this unit for Vanagons. Has 1980's vintage look and feel with clear display, large buttons, and retro CD player, but with modern features like Bluetooth music and phone connection, Aux and USB inputs and even NOAA Weather channels. It's made and marketed primarily for commercial vehicles like tractors, trucks, perhaps buses.
Get the optional JMICHFP Omnidirectional microphone (sold separately) so you can have hands-free phone calls through the unit. Some sellers sell this without the "pig-tail" wiring harness, but you'll need that.
The metal "V-shaped" bracket at the forward end of the Vanagon's radio space is somewhat in the way to let the unit fully insert and stay straight. I removed the one in my '89 Westy.
You can check it out at Crutchfield:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_522JHD36A/Jensen-Heavy-Duty-JHD36A.html
Crutchfield's model comes with the wiring harness, but you'll need to add the JMICHFP microphone separate.
Jim Davis |
Hey Jim,
When I do the "Will it fit" on crutchfield, it says it doesn't fit the Vanagon. Do you know why crutchfield doesn't say it fits? |
Quote: |
The metal "V-shaped" bracket at the forward end of the Vanagon's radio space is somewhat in the way to let the unit fully insert and stay straight. I removed the one in my '89 Westy. |
That bracket is often a barrier to fit for a number of head units, esp. some with cd players. I've removed from both my vans. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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I like the look of the Jensen one. There is also a non-CD version, stubbier and probably easier to mount:
https://www.my12voltstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?P...WoQAvD_BwE _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 10:09 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Thanks for that tip. I agree, I like the non-CD version because the buttons don't get squeezed into smaller spaces. Unfortunately, It looks like they're all 6 7/8" - 7.4" deep so no new found space for something new under the ashtray (like secret switches, hidden usb bus, etc.)
It turns out there are a few Jensen HD options. Interestingly, they don't list a CD version on the Jensen site.
https://www.jensenheavyduty.com/products/stereos.html
Some of the key differences that I can suss out include (not inclusive of all key differences - corrections welcomed). Naturally, since I'd want bluetooth and pre-amp outputs I want the most expensive unit.
MSRPs for price ladder reference only, street price is typically a couple hundred less.
1635 BTB, W/ Pre-amp outputs, W/Bluetooth, $414 MSRP
WITH Green or Blue phone button at 10:00 at the volume knob
https://www.jensenheavyduty.com/jensen-am-fm-wb-ipod-iphone-ready-siriusxm-bluetooth-stereo.html
Edit: There are two models, 1635BT and 1635BTB, BTB stands for Bluetooth Blunt wire harness in that it comes with a wire harness. As I understand, 1635BT does not come with a wire harness because the commercial/construction vehicles it's often installed in already have the harness with correct plug, i.e. look for the BTB version if you want the wire harness.
e-Trailer has the best specs and a video showing the 6 1/4" mounting depth which is about 1/2" shorter than the CD version...
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Stereos/Jensen/JHD1635BTB.html
1630 BTB W/ Pre-amp outputs, NO Bluetooth, $322 MSRP...
NO green or blue phone button at 10:00 at the volume knob
https://www.jensenheavyduty.com/jensen-heavy-duty-am-fm-wb-ipod-iphone-siriusxm-stereo.html
1640 BTB, NO Pre-Amp Outputs, W/Bluetooth $246 MSRP
WITH Green or Blue phone button at 10:00 at the volume knob
https://www.jensenheavyduty.com/jensen-am-fm-wb-us...-1198.html
Plain Jane - looks pretty nice... $209 MSRP
https://www.jensenheavyduty.com/jensen-heavy-duty-am-fm-cd-stereo.html
Here's a link to a good spec page for the unit with a CD player, model #JHD36A
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Stereos/Jensen/JHD36A.html
Not heavy duty but simple with BT, CD and two knobs:
https://www.amazon.com/ASA-JDVD1500-AM-FM-Radio/dp...;psc=1[/b] _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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ProspectiveOwnergon Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2020 Posts: 211 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Is there a CD player unit that doesn't break the bank and can fit without heating/crushing the heater box? Just getting the metal V out of the way |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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jimf909 wrote: |
It turns out there are a few Jensen HD options. Interestingly, they don't list a CD version on the Jensen site. |
It's weird that the JHD36A doesn't show up in their overview, but the CD version is on their site. Maybe they're not that interested in selling it or their web guy is inept.
Here: https://www.jensenheavyduty.com/jensen-heavy-duty-...tooth.html
MSRP shows for $423 there
It's $249 at Crutchfield here:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_522JHD36A/Jensen-Heavy-Duty-JHD36A.html
ProspectiveOwnergon: Not sure what your "doesn't break the bank" budget is, but this is a good option for retaining CD capability and getting Bluetooth, hands-free phone operation (with optional microphone), weather channels, etc.
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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vwwestyman Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2004 Posts: 5688 Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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a good separate amp can solve a lot of sound quality problems in cheesey head units
once you have music ripped to FLAC (CD quality) you just need a decent DAC and pre-amp in the head unit _________________ .... |
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vwwestyman Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2004 Posts: 5688 Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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mterpstra Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 8
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Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Hey all,
I picked up a Jensen Heavy Duty radio based on the recommendations here. I pulled the PO's stereo and have questions (my first foray into wiring). Detailed post here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
I could use your experienced eyes on this.
Thank you!
Mike
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 11:06 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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I think I've been looking for a replacement head unit for years. I have a single din Boss with a double din touch screen. The screen allows me to use my back-up cam on the head unit screen but the rest of the Boss device is not awesome (touch screen is grumpy, it looks cheap with lousy resolution, etc.).
If I felt like spending $450 I'd install the Blaupunkt Bremen because it looks great and offers the modern BT features...but I don't feel like spending that much. The Jensen commercial units look decent but are still $250. The Continental (orange screen)/VDO (blue screen) units mentioned here look good but I'd need to add a line out converter ($30, one more component) to convert the signal to send to my amp.
Marine radio design criteria doesn't seem to require a million tiny buttons and ugly screens soI've been looking there. The leading candidate is this MB Quart BT head unit. It's not hideous, it has only nine regularly shaped buttons and a big plain bluish-white screen and it has pre-amp outputs! At $130 I may order one soon.
- I only wish it had a rotary knob for the volume control.
- It is a marine radio so apparently it doesn't come with the din sleeve and may need screws or 3M VHB tape to secure it.
- According to the Mb Quart site it has a Weather band radio but Crutchfield doesn't mention that.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_049MDR20/MB-Quart-MDR2-0.html?tp=96441
An unrequired/unexpected bonus is that it's the same brand as my MB Quart speakers and amp. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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howler9 Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2012 Posts: 30 Location: United States
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 10:21 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Hi all, I got the jensen JHD1635BTB and I'm having trouble installing the sleeve. What does it actually mount to? _________________ 1984 1.9L Westy |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 8:49 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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I finally installed the MB Quart marine radio (sold for boats, no marine specific radio functions other than being "waterproof").
- Bluetooth connection for streaming music but it doesn't have a mic so no phone calls which is fine for me.
- Mechless so it's about 3" deep
- Doesn't come with a mounting sleeve (it's designed to screw in) so I just used the sleeve from the previous radio.
- Simple button and screen layout
- This wasn't important but it's MB Quart (a once great German audio brand, since trashed by Rockford-Fosgate among others) so it matches my German-made MB Quart component speakers (at least in name).
- Wish it had a knob for volume and tuning but that's a small price to pay for a head unit that isn't hideously ugly (the Blaupunkt Bremen is a higher price to pay).
I've been swapping electronics frequently (usb plugs, head units, rear view cams, etc.) so I cleaned up the wiring and added a busbar that has four flavors of power: always hot, key-in hot, key-on hot and dimmable dash lights. This should make it easier to add/delete/experiment with stuff).
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Rorke Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016 Posts: 255 Location: Traverse City, MI
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Jimf909,
That stereo looks super clean, especially compared to the laser lightshow that is my Kenwood.
How dim can it go while playing tunes?
Rorke |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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howler9 wrote: |
Hi all, I got the jensen JHD1635BTB and I'm having trouble installing the sleeve. What does it actually mount to? |
All the sleeves (all the brands I've seen) just mount to the perimeter of the rectangle hole in the dash. They come with an assortment of bendable metal tabs on the top, bottom, left, and right built into the sleeve. Just bend the tabs out around a portion of the edge of the hole. Not all the tabs, just the ones with the right size/placement for the thin sheet metal hole. I usually bend over about 8 tabs. Remarkably secure given what seems a flimsy way to mount something like this.
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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erste Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013 Posts: 1110 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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jimf909 wrote: |
I've been swapping electronics frequently (usb plugs, head units, rear view cams, etc.) so I cleaned up the wiring and added a busbar that has four flavors of power: always hot, key-in hot, key-on hot and dimmable dash lights. This should make it easier to add/delete/experiment with stuff). |
Nice location for the busbar! |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Rorke wrote: |
Jimf909,
That stereo looks super clean, especially compared to the laser lightshow that is my Kenwood.
How dim can it go while playing tunes?
Rorke |
I'll have to check at night. During the day it's slightly visible. I don't believe it has dimming capabilities. If it's too bright at night I'll try to put a piece of smoke colored static vinyl over it. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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erste wrote: |
jimf909 wrote: |
I've been swapping electronics frequently (usb plugs, head units, rear view cams, etc.) so I cleaned up the wiring and added a busbar that has four flavors of power: always hot, key-in hot, key-on hot and dimmable dash lights. This should make it easier to add/delete/experiment with stuff). |
Nice location for the busbar! |
It was one of those things where I pictured it everywhere but there. Then as I was checking clearance with the cover and I looked at that vacant space and said voila! There's nothing but a lot of space there that's hidden but easily accessed. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Mon May 24, 2021 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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jimf909 wrote: |
erste wrote: |
jimf909 wrote: |
I've been swapping electronics frequently (usb plugs, head units, rear view cams, etc.) so I cleaned up the wiring and added a busbar that has four flavors of power: always hot, key-in hot, key-on hot and dimmable dash lights. This should make it easier to add/delete/experiment with stuff). |
Nice location for the busbar! |
It was one of those things where I pictured it everywhere but there. Then as I was checking clearance with the cover and I looked at that vacant space and said voila! There's nothing but a lot of space there that's hidden but easily accessed. |
I thought the same as erste when I saw it. I was planning on installing a little fuse panel under the primary fuse panel, but very little space there. I think I'll now install it under this panel. Complicated by the Syncro diff-lock panel in the way, but that's still a good spot. Nice job!
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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ProspectiveOwnergon Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2020 Posts: 211 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon May 24, 2021 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Can you explain how this busbar works? Do you hop off the main panel for dc services that already are "always hot, ign-hot, keyed-hot"? |
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