Radio on whilst ignition off.

[windywatson]

Hi Guys,

Pain in the butt having to put key in ignition to have radio on. Is there any quick modification that I can do to jump some power from somewhere that will be an easy job to power it up without the need to put key in? Whilst doing this is there also a similar way to be able to same for electric blinds as well?

Cheers

[cavey]

Ideally, you'll need a leisure battery and a kit from eBay seller 'Willinton' to patch into the fuse box. He made one up for me for less than I could have bought the parts, never mind the time to crimp it all up. Not as complicated as it sounds, honest!

It would be possible without a leisure battery, and I'm sure Wiilinton would make the required cables up for you if you ask, but would you want to risk running down the starter battery with the radio and blinds?

Doesn't look like he has a kit listed at the mo, but as I say, drop him a line. He's a top chap.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/willinton/m.h ... ksid=p3984

Cheers,

Dave

[briwy]

If you just connect the wire that comes from the radio to ignition switch into a permanently live feed then it should work OK.
As cavey says though, just watch you don't flatten the starter battery.

[westonwarrior]

you can use a relay and switch to change the way the radio is powered

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ilit=relay

[Dodgey]

The relay is really an overkill. The original poster of that thread used a relay because he didn't want an "off position" on a two way switch... it works great but a bit of extra faff and an extra point of failure for no real tangible reason.

With a two way switch you flip it in one direction for leisure battery power for your radio, and the other way for ignition power for your radio. The central position of the switch will be "off" - no power at all. Just don't use center position! - total cost £1.50 for a two way (three pole) toggle switch.

On topic - I agree - get a Willington kit - it's incredibly good value and well made, and it interfaces with the Bongo wiring very elegantly.

[westonwarrior]

you pays your money and takes your choice

you are right though it does work great

[321Away]

just pull out the stereo and join the red and yellow (assuming its a uk spec stereo), as said be warned you run the risk of draining your battery and high powered/competition grade stereos (4v pre outs), use a LOT of power, esp whilsr reading cd's


Julian

[teenmal]

Hi WINDYWATSON,

Just wire your radio to your leisure battery,or have you removed your leisure battery ?.

Cheers.

[g8dhe]

just pull out the stereo and join the red and yellow (assuming its a uk spec stereo), as said be warned you run the risk of draining your battery and high powered/competition grade stereos (4v pre outs), use a LOT of power, esp whilsr reading cd's


Julian

It will also mean that everything else on the ancillary position of the Ignition switch will remain powered up! Cigar lighters. Demister, Rear Galley, Mirrors.