The two later MY Fords I've had used have this "feature". It's annoying as hell as I don't particularly like having my radar detector & Sirius receivers on at all times, especially in the winter.

In theory one should be able to use a relay and tap the wire that comes off of "accessory delay" relay and use that as a trigger to keeping things on and off. Has anyone tried this yet and know which wire I'm looking for? The car in question is 06 Mustang GT, if anyone cares.

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After installing my Sirius radio using the "convienient" accessory jack I too found that it is a constant power source. Why in the world is that and is it easily changed or should i just pull power from an intermittant accessory?

 

Cant your just Turn off the unit? problem solved?



If not put a switch to break the flow on the positive wire behind the plug.

 

Now isnt that clever, turn it off.... Yes, as a matter of fact you can but why should you have to? You dont need the radio without the key, just like the factory unit autoshuts off i think the aux unit should too. But thank you for your thoughtful input.

 

I would just hardwire it to the accessory wire.... plus you dont have to use up a plug...

 

Sure, as long as the accessory wire can support the load... Shouldn't be a problem for the radar-detector or satellite reciever though.

 

There is this fuse deal you can pick up at the auto store. I believe its called a "fuse tap".

Anyway, an existing fuse comes out, this thing goes in, the the existing fuse (along with a second fuse for the device you are hooking up) will piggyback on this device.

Just find a good fuse to tap that turns off with the car.

That is what I used with my XM radio.

You ever notice that the XM Roady2 gets pretty HOT?

No way I want that thing running when the car is not being used.

 

its really not a big deal with radar detectors because they use very little power. ive had my car off for a week and a half one time, the radar detector on the whole time. started right up.

 

you can use a relay for this. Cut the wire that goes to the center of the lighter plug (im not sure of the color posibly yellow or orange but they change.) Then connect each end of the wire across the normally open contacts of the relay. (Typically the 30 and 87 taps). Then ground one side of the coil to a true ground, or if you cant find one use the the other wire off the lighter. Then connect the last side of the coil to the accessory wire that powers up your radio. (Not sure of the color here eather). This will turn the ligher socket off when you turn off the car and will not disrupt the sub distribution system, keeping everything wired to the appropriate fuse.