Running Radio off Leisure Battery

[marksmithuk]

If it is just the headunit sensing 14v then a simple buck might solve this - somehow though I doubt it.
Everything I've tried on my T6 ends in a dead end

If my understanding is right (probably isn't ha!) If it senses 14v it'll stay on, so a buck might do the job... I don't fancy frying the unit though ha.

 

[familymack]

Ah. . . . . . It works now.

Both radio and phone connected to Van's wifi....

App now working.. =)


..

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Have you been able to deactivate the headunit time out with this app then? with the ignition off???

 

[Deaky]

Have you been able to deactivate the headunit time out with this app then? with the ignition off???

Yes you can if your using the VW media control app.

 

[familymack]

Yes you can if your using the VW media control app.

Thanks Deaky! And is rewiring the head unit to a leisure battery straight forward enough? I'm a newbie on here and can't seem to find a post detailing this.

 

[Deaky]

Thanks Deaky! And is rewiring the head unit to a leisure battery straight forward enough? I'm a newbie on here and can't seem to find a post detailing this.

Not sure you can but I may be wrong. Media control is a paid for dealer option too

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dell- What are you using for your van wifi?

@BoroBoy

for WIFI in the van i use a USB 4G WIFI Dongle . . . like this one.

(i did have it in the glovebox, but have now installed in in roof lining by roof lights - works fine with reception etc)

HUAWEI Unlocked E8372h-320 LTE/4G 150 Mbps USB Mobile Wi-Fi Dongle (White) - For use with any sim card worldwide. New 2020 Model. Now Connect 16 Wireless devices: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

amzn.to

i had it plugged into 12v USB charger .at first . . like this Anker one i had.

https://amzn.to/3djY17a

but now I've hard wired it with a 12v / USB power converter.

JZK Car Power Converter DC 12V to 5V: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy JZK Car Power Converter DC 12V to 5V/ 3A Voltage Converter with Dual USB Adapter Connectors for phone charging car audio radio etc at Amazon UK.

amzn.to

at first i had it running from the IGN only . . . . so it was only on when driving etc . . .

but now I've moved it over to a Leisure battery feed . . . so its on 24/7

i can now hook up the RING camera and BlackVudash cam to the cloud . . . as well as conect the Victron kit to the cloud.

You need to get a SIM card to put in the dongle. . . .


either a PAYG sim with DATA . . . . or just call your existing Mobile phone provider and ask for a second SIM to share the data from your existing account.

here is an example of a PAYG data SIM . .

EE - 90days/3mnths - 6GB 4G data for the wifi - £16.25

EE PAYG Triple SIM Card Preloaded with 6 GB of 4GEE: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy EE PAYG Triple SIM Card Preloaded with 6 GB of 4GEE Data at Amazon UK.

amzn.to

.

plug it in, set a wifi password etc , get online - job done.

Then just connect the Media Headunit to the vans wifi, then connect your phone/tablet to the wifi as well . . .

down load the VW Media APP on your phone/tablet - control the HU.

not too hard to setup. =]




*****************************


fwiw I've got one of these too . . .


similar thing, but has a built in battery and will last most of the day.

so if in the van, connect it to a USB feed thats on the IGN ,. . . . then when engine is off this unit will keep the wifi going on its own battery power . . . (for 1-2day depending on use and signal strength)

when the van is restarted the internal battery recharges . . via USB

we have it on holiday etc so the kids can share the wifi and internet . . . i just drop it into my ruck sack . .

keeps the Yoofs happy =]

https://amzn.to/3b91dQh

.

 

[BoroBoy]

@BoroBoy

for WIFI in the van i use a USB 4G WIFI Dongle . . . like this one.

(i did have it in the glovebox, but have now installed in in roof lining by roof lights - works fine with reception etc)

HUAWEI Unlocked E8372h-320 LTE/4G 150 Mbps USB Mobile Wi-Fi Dongle (White) - For use with any sim card worldwide. New 2020 Model. Now Connect 16 Wireless devices: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

amzn.to

View attachment 103976

i had it plugged into 12v USB charger .at first . . like this Anker one i had.

https://amzn.to/3djY17a

View attachment 103977


but now I've hard wired it with a 12v / USB power converter.

JZK Car Power Converter DC 12V to 5V: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy JZK Car Power Converter DC 12V to 5V/ 3A Voltage Converter with Dual USB Adapter Connectors for phone charging car audio radio etc at Amazon UK.

amzn.to

View attachment 103978



at first i had it running from the IGN only . . . . so it was only on when driving etc . . .

but now I've moved it over to a Leisure battery feed . . . so its on 24/7

i can now hook up the RING camera and BlackVudash cam to the cloud . . . as well as conect the Victron kit to the cloud.

You need to get a SIM card to put in the dongle. . . .


either a PAYG sim with DATA . . . . or just call your existing Mobile phone provider and ask for a second SIM to share the data from your existing account.

here is an example of a PAYG data SIM . .

EE - 90days/3mnths - 6GB 4G data for the wifi - £16.25

EE PAYG Triple SIM Card Preloaded with 6 GB of 4GEE: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy EE PAYG Triple SIM Card Preloaded with 6 GB of 4GEE Data at Amazon UK.

amzn.to

View attachment 103979




.

plug it in, set a wifi password etc , get online - job done.

Then just connect the Media Headunit to the vans wifi, then connect your phone/tablet to the wifi as well . . .

down load the VW Media APP on your phone/tablet - control the HU.

not too hard to setup. =]




*****************************


fwiw I've got one of these too . . .


similar thing, but has a built in battery and will last most of the day.

so if in the van, connect it to a USB feed thats on the IGN ,. . . . then when engine is off this unit will keep the wifi going on its own battery power . . . (for 1-2day depending on use and signal strength)

when the van is restarted the internal battery recharges . . via USB

we have it on holiday etc so the kids can share the wifi and internet . . . i just drop it into my ruck sack . .

keeps the Yoofs happy =]

https://amzn.to/3b91dQh

View attachment 103980

.

Thanks Lee. I have looking at the TP link unit myself. Yet to decide which way to.

 

[Scut]

I’ve managed to change the timeout to 60mins using the engineer mode thing on the radio, but haven’t managed to turn it off entirely.

I'm going to try this as the 20 minute timer is a bit annoying. On a similar theme, do we know if Bluetooth can be activated with ignition off? I'd like to be able to stream Spotify from my phone but headunit Bluetooth is disabled unless ignition is on.....

 

[Phil_G]

I'm going to try this as the 20 minute timer is a bit annoying. On a similar theme, do we know if Bluetooth can be activated with ignition off? I'd like to be able to stream Spotify from my phone but headunit Bluetooth is disabled unless ignition is on.....

I've often wondered, is the timeout controlled by a canbus signal from an ecu, or is it controlled by the radio itself 20 minutes from ignition live going off? If so surely you could rig a false ignition live with a diode?

 

[t0mb0]

I've often wondered, is the timeout controlled by a canbus signal from an ecu, or is it controlled by the radio itself 20 minutes from ignition live going off? If so surely you could rig a false ignition live with a diode?

Definitely canbus sadly.

 

[Phil_G]

I bet the Autowatch Ghost people could come up with a little inline module, but would it sell?

 

[PeteK80]

A few photos of our Leisure head unit. It was installed by our converter Sussex Campervans at our request. They suggested the cheaper solution of a portable speaker. But we went for the integrated unit and for us it’s brilliant.

Head unit choice was a bit limited. It had to be a ‘short body’ and we also wanted DAB, although rarely use the latter as we mostly stream internet radio or music via a Bluetooth link to a phone. Rear speakers in normal overhead position are Pioneer 6”x9” fed through a relay so the Vehicle head unit feeds them when ignition is on and the Leisure head unit when ignition is off.

It all works a treat for us and gives us just what we were seeking.

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Hi, Martin/All...

Love this and it's almost exactly what I'm looking to do. Just wondering, does it drain the leisure battery quickly?

Thanks

Pete

 

[Martinf]

Hi, Martin/All...

Love this and it's almost exactly what I'm looking to do. Just wondering, does it drain the leisure battery quickly?

Thanks

Pete

@PeteK80 I haven’t ever noticed any additional drain on the leisure battery. There is bound to be some of course but it’s only a ‘radio’ after all. It’s great sound for us. Not a high powered amp with blasting bass which we don’t actually like, rather it’s acceptable quality full sound spectrum.

As an update since posting several years ago, we now never use the DAB function, just use it as an amplifier. I’ve had a search for a dedicated amplifier that would fit in the single DIN space but can’t find anything more suitable so we continue to enjoy very much our Kenwood head unit and Pioneer speakers.

Martin

 

[PeteK80]

@PeteK80 I haven’t ever noticed any additional drain on the leisure battery. There is bound to be some of course but it’s only a ‘radio’ after all. It’s great sound for us. Not a high powered amp with blasting bass which we don’t actually like, rather it’s acceptable quality full sound spectrum.

As an update since posting several years ago, we now never use the DAB function, just use it as an amplifier. I’ve had a search for a dedicated amplifier that would fit in the single DIN space but can’t find anything more suitable so we continue to enjoy very much our Kenwood head unit and Pioneer speakers.

Martin

That's good to know Martin, really appreciate the reply.

Pete

 

[Martinf]

That's good to know Martin, really appreciate the reply.

Pete

@PeteK80 I’ve had a more detailed look and to be specific the radio head unit is shown drawing about 0.8A when turned on. Hope this helps, Martin

 

[PeteK80]

@PeteK80 I’ve had a more detailed look and to be specific the radio head unit is shown drawing about 0.8A when turned on. Hope this helps, Martin

Thanks Martin....