Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK

Chaps, I'm installing a radio into the Aston tomorrow and wondered wat your thoughts are on wiring it permenantly live i.e. switched on at the radio or wired via the ignition key so it goes off on the ignition? I can see pros and cons to both, what are your thoughts? Confused

Rich...

47Jag · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject:

Rich,

I reckon thru' the ignition is the safest. I had a Citroen once that was live all the time and I had turned the volume down for some reason. I came back to a flat battery.

Art

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

Most cars even from late 50's onwards had an Accessory terminal on the ignition switch which allowed the radio to be used with ignition off so as not to burn out the coil. A Lucas substitute can be fitted if not.

Its not agood idea to have to permanently live as it is too easy to leave it sitched on which can ruin both radio and flatten battery.

It really depends if you only want to have the radio on when driving
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buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

Something I have allways meant to do is put a kill switch in on my cars, so you could have things like that live, and then take the kill key out and you know you won't have any issues, this also helps with security, in an emergency and also if such things like the trottle gets stuck, you don't want to be turning the key with vehicles with steering locks, as if you turn it too far, you can't steer! hehe

If you are going live, make sure you have a good battery, as there will be a time you nip into the shops, and it is left on, or maybe it is a better bet to have it on the ignition, then again it depends on what you use the radio for, I mean you don't want to have everything switched on just to listen to the radio, etc!

Hmm, I am not helping here am I!? I think I will pop of to bed!

Cheers

Dave

Brian M · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

Always wire mine to the accessory position on the ignition switch, and as has already been said you can replace your ignition switch with one that has this option.

Otherwise it is something else to remember to switch off when ever you leave the car.
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Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks chaps, the concencus seems to be wired through the ignition. That's what I'll do. Chat later to let you know how I get on! Smile

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK

I spent a good day fitting this as neatly as possible. worst part was getting the speakers hidden away up under the dash because there is so little space but I really didn't want to cut holes in the doors! Got there in the end but working upside down under the dash in the footwells made me feel sea-sick and I'm only just getting over it now! Still got wiring to do but that's easy! More tomorrow... Smile

Nic Jarman · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject:

If you do not keep a permanent live to your radio you will have to re-tune it every time you turn your engine off. Read the instuction manual.

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

I fitted my radio to permanent live as I often sit with the engine off and listen to it...
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Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK