Always hot wire

[Sitting Bull]

What wire would be good to tap into for an "always hot" memory wire on a kenwood CD player?

Thanks!

[Lindel]

If you've got the stock clock (analog or digital), use that. There's a hot wire on either, but you'll have to figure out which on your own!! I don't feel like tearing my dash down to get to it!! :D

[Sitting Bull]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lindel:
There's a hot wire on either, but you'll have to figure out which on your own!! :D <hr></blockquote>

Very nice, a true LOL. Thanks for the help Lindel, do I need to put an inline fuse on it? I'm also running the main power directly from the slot on the fusebox, does that need an inline? I promise I'll figure the rest out, I just don't wanna blow up the new radio ;) .

[FrankenJeep]

If you have a Haynes, Chilton, or Technical Service Manual, look up the wiring diagrams for your year. I don't have mine in front of me, but they show 'always hot' connections.

Your next bet would be to take a test light or multi-meter and look for a 'hot' connection. Make sure you have the door closed when you do this or you might accidentally connect to an interior lighting circuit.

Lastly, you could tap into the power feed for the light switch since its always hot.

I found an orange wire behind the glove box. However, I've found other orange wires that were part of the lighting system. So use a meter to be sure.

A word of caution, disconnect your battery ground before making the actual connection to your radio ... just in case you have butterfingers like me. ;)

Frank

[FrankenJeep]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lindel:
If you've got the stock clock (analog or digital), use that.<hr></blockquote>

My digital clock has 2 modes depending on the ignition switch, so there's probably at least 1 feed that's not always 'hot'. Hope this helps.

How about the cigarette light? Couldn't tell tho; mine doesn't work.

Frank

[GaWd]

Switched power to the radio needs either a fusebox fuse or an inline fuse.

Mem(constant) does not.

As for finding a constant in your truck. Turn the key off, prop around with a test light or DMM(multi-meter), and you should find several. Once you've located a constant with the power off, turn the key to ON and ignition, and make sure it never turns off. THen fiddle with your wipers and other dash items to make sure that the power is still constant.

Ever seen a radio in a car that's mistakenly hooked to the wipers? LoL it's amazingly funny in the rain smile.gif (and no, I didn't fdo the install)

Sam

P.S.- Sitting Bull, could you offer some of your painting knowledge to my current thread ("paint question") Thanks much.

[FrankenJeep]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sitting Bull:
I'm also running the main power directly from the slot on the fusebox, does that need an inline?<hr></blockquote>

Depends on your radio. It should tell you the maximum fuse rating somewhere on it. Most likely, you'll be better off installing an inline fuse with the correct size fuse.

F.