12 Volt Plug and radio reWiring

[Bob Stone]

I'd appreciate advice on rewiring my radio and dashboard 12 volt socket such that it draws from the house batteries rather than the chassis battery. At present in order to listen to the radio (SiriusXM)I have to turn the ignition key to accessory. Using the 12 volt plug to charge phone, GPS etcetera also drains the chassis battery.
I dry camp for 5 or 6 months a year and use solar panels to keep house batteries charged.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Bob,
I haven't checked a wiring diagram or used a meter to verify, but... I'd look at the "Ceiling Light" or "Coach Power" switches that are near the entry to your coach as I'm pretty sure you'll find coach 12v on the input terminals to one or both of them.
Steve

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Bob,
A better solution (IMHO) would be to run a 12awg wire from the battery buss in the electrical bay to power the radio and 12v receptacles. This would give you a 12v source that isn't dependent on the ignition switch. The equipment you are powering wouldn't put a big draw on the chassis batteries so the Bird shouldn't have any problem keeping them charged. I'd put a 10A fuse in line.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

If your intent is to no longer have the radio go on and off with the ignition then you may already have what you need wired to the radio. There usually is a main supply 12v wire and a second wire that is tied to the ignition that powers on with the key. that acts as a signal line to turn on and off the radio. Find the wire that triggers with the ignition and tie it to the line that has 12v all the time at the radio and you will disable the ignition trigger and just use the power switch on the radio.

Later Ed