Stereo that doesnt need constant 12v

[MidLifeCrisis]

All the car stereos that I can find need a constant 12v signal to retain the FM preset stations - which seems a little silly (there seems no reason why this should be the case).
We have a battery isolator on the main battery that we like to disconnect when the van is parked up for any length of time - but everytime we do that you lose all the FM presets which is a bit of a nuisance.
Has anyone come across a car stereo that doesn't need the constant 12v to retain the FM presets?

[1664]

You'd have to find an old 70's pushbutton one for that I think. Only analogue though so once they turn that off it would be useless. I haven't seen a modern day one that doesn't need the permanent feed. Just another of life's little 'improvements'

[MidLifeCrisis]

Yep - was thinking the same thing - need one of those old-school 'thump the button and watch the little red marker jump up the dial' types - just seems crazy that they don't just store the presets - imagine turning off your TV and having to retune it each time ..... rubbish!!

[bootie3367]

Very small draw from the battery, you could always get one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richbrook-Dis ... 1c25a384cb

Nice and easy to fit.

HTH

Jon

[MidLifeCrisis]

Very small draw from the battery, you could always get one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richbrook-Dis ... 1c25a384cb

Nice and easy to fit.

HTH

Jon

Yeah - that is essentially what I have (but without the fused link thing) - and adding the fused link would solve the problem but it would mean that the battery was then being drained (however slowly) - I really wanted the 'totally' isolated solution ...... (maybe I am being too fussy!)

[1664]

or you can link your radio circuit (Fuse 3 on later vans) to the leisure battery instead - a few people do that...

[bootie3367]

Very small draw from the battery, you could always get one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richbrook-Dis ... 1c25a384cb

Nice and easy to fit.

HTH

Jon

Yeah - that is essentially what I have (but without the fused link thing) - and adding the fused link would solve the problem but it would mean that the battery was then being drained (however slowly) - I really wanted the 'totally' isolated solution ...... (maybe I am being too fussy!)

No, not being too picky, it's your van, your rules. Solar panel to trickle charge the battery or even a plug in trickle charger depending on van location when parked up. either way you will never be able to completely isolate the van and have the memory function for your radio.....one or the other.

Jon

[MidLifeCrisis]

Well - after googling most of the internet .....
..... I've found this (but no other info)

http://www.ams-diffusion.com/art/pdf/AMS_CT608_UK.pdf

So, they do exist .........

[MidLifeCrisis]

Also starting to believe that JVC headunits might also work ......

http://www.jvcmobile.co.uk/documents/sp ... 174704.pdf

On page 2 it says "Backup Memory (for power disconnection)" ........

.... Can anyone who has a JVC comment on this??

[California Dreamin]

Yup...like a computer motherboard...has a small button Lithium battery and bios eprom chip to retain basic input output settings. I guess manufacturers of stereo systems just don't see this as a priority feature.

Given the basic function it would be very easy to connect a small 12v rechargeable pack to the permanent feed with appropriate charger that only tops up this backup pack whilst running.
At least this way you can pick the stereo you want instead of letting it pick you by default.
Martin

[ghost123uk]

Not a great deal of help but a big coincidence as just 1/2 an hour ago I posted this on a very similar thread on the Scirocco forum =

We have this problem with Gills GTII with fancy Stereo head. It draws 80Ma down the permanent live (memory) feed. This is a £120 unit. On my GTS I have an "old skool" Blaupunkt unit that does not even need a permanent live feed. Even if you take out of the car it remembers it's stations with no power at all !!

How come an 80's unit can do that yet a 2011 unit needs 80Ma to store the stations and the time !

Progress huh

The bold was added for here

[MidLifeCrisis]

Interesting - so perhaps Blaupunkt and JVC might be candidates - might try emailing a few places see if I can get a definitive answer .... thanks for the info/help chaps.

[ghost123uk]

Interesting - so perhaps Blaupunkt and JVC might be candidates - might try emailing a few places see if I can get a definitive answer ....

Good luck getting that kind of technical info from suppliers etc

Let us know if you do find a suitable head unit as I (and others) would like to know (the one in our T25 eats the battery !)