Hi, I've got a new Kenwood stereo/cd player deck for a '90 Golf. The deck is pretty basic, nothing fancy (KDC-1028).
Several folks in this group suggested using the key-in-ignition line (SU contact, 12V when key is inserted) to operate a relay, the relay then supplies switched power to the radio's yellow wire.
I'm wondering if I can wire the constant power and switched power wires together. The Kenwood deck has a power switch and when pressed, the deck display goes off and it appears the deck pretty much powers down. I called Kenwood Canada and they confirmed that with the deck in power-off mode, it's only drawing power to keep the memory and clock alive.
The Kenwood radio would operate much like the stock VW radio did. The VW radio turned on without any key in the iginition. The VW radio also drew some power to keep the station memory and clock alive.
As for leaving the radio on, after 20 years with an A1 and A2, it's 2nd nature to check that the radio is off, along with checking that the windows were closed, trunk locked, passenger door locked, valuables out of sight....when parking. The display on the Kenwood is much brighter than the tiny LCD on the VW radio, so it shouldn't be hard seeing that it needs to be turned off.
Soooo....I'm considering installing with constant power to both the red and yellow wires.
Any advice to the contrary? Any downsides to having the new radio operate just like the old?
Thanks.
-Tony
(How this all started. Wife's '85 Golf odometer stopped working. Take dash apart, repair odometer. Hey, why not swap out the 20 yr old radio from the '85 and replace with "newer" 15 year old radio from the '90. Then get new radio with CD player for the '90).