Headunit wiring - on all the time?

helios1 · Post by **helios1** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 6:05 pm

Hey guys, i was wondering: Has anyone else wired their HU so that they can listen to the radio at any time, even when the keys aren't in the ignition? I've just wired mine so it can do that, n my dads fussing about fire risks n stuff. Just asking to see if anyone had any experience on this?

Cheers

tommy · Post by **tommy** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 6:59 pm

yeah, it isnt a good idea, battery dies pretty quick, mayb thats jus me cuz of the install but, also i did forget to turn the headunit off and.... oh dea flat battery, did you do it by taking out the cable adapter, i had to put myne back in!!!

helios1 · Post by **helios1** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:05 pm

No I wired it so that the +12V in the loom goes to the +12V permanent supply for the radio - the +12V in the loom was originally wired to the Ignition input, and the ignition wire from the loom went to the +12V permanent wire into the radio, meaning that when the ignition was on the radio was getting power from it.

BTW, my wires were butchered by the previous owner, so the wires in the loom are twisted to their counterparts in the plug which i had to install myself. The old radio didnt have the usual DIN connectors, just bare wiring.

tommy · Post by **tommy** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:38 pm

oh, i was going to say, there is an easier option, when installing a new headunit remove the adapter that you need to put inbetween the speaker wires and the headunit, normally with brown casing, this kept mine on, but as you say, wires were butcherd.... bastards dont bodge things!!!

13twelve · Post by **13twelve** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:02 am

mines got butchered wires by the previous owner as well.

tard.

think i'm gonna try re-wire an orginal loom up, cos i'd rather have that plug and play ability

david burton · Post by **david burton** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:30 am

I wouldn't say there was a fire risk unless you've wired it up badly! after all, lots of the wires are at constant 12v in the motor.

as long as you remember to tuen it off you'll be fine..... but I wouldn't do it because the battery won't last as long if you keep playing the stereo without the engine running.

helios1 · Post by **helios1** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:59 pm

It seems Blaupunkt (the make of my HU) has already thought about batteries running out - it turns itself off after an hour if the ignition is off.

Im pretty sure its wired right, i double checked what i did with the HU manual and with the wiring diagram in the Haynes manual.

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:24 pm

http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/VW-Wiring.pdf

^ hope this helps with the wire colors/pins

helios1 · Post by **helios1** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:28 pm

Ta carmadaaron, ill probably check the wiring next time i have time.
I like the new pic! Looks much better from that angle, the alloys look deeper.

BalinJu · Post by **BalinJu** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:23 pm

I used to leave the hu on for more than 3hrs and the battery nevery complained. It will keep up for a long time if you do not have an amplifier, subwoofer... For my setup, keeping the volume low, it keeps going for 3hrs without any problem

helios1 · Post by **helios1** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:28 pm

yeah i got a 222W amp in the boot tho, so probably wont last so long. its gonna be pretty hard for me to leave the radio on while im not there tho - i only listen to it loud!

tommy · Post by **tommy** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:18 pm

i got a 1000 watt amp and mine has never let me down, had it on for 2 hours the other day, no probs... theese vw batteries rule!!!