Wiring Question

I'm installing an Alpine Nav system in my 1990 VW Vanagon Syncro (4X4) Camper and I have a few questions: 1. I plan on powering it directly from my coach battery w/an on/off switch, do I need a relay since I wont be running it through the ignition switch? If so what kind and what is the reccomended wiring? 2. What does the parking brake wire for the ECU do and is it possible to bypass it? Thanks for your time! -Ryan London 1990 Vanagon Syncro GL Westfalia Chicago

i recomend hooking the power to the ground, the results will shock you(wink wink)what!?!?! you want some??

What is that supposed to mean? -I realize my original question may be stupid but, I just don't want to damage this thing and the installation instructions leave much to be desired especially for an older vehicle like mine.

syncroguzzi wrote: 1. I plan on powering it directly from my coach battery w/an on/off switch, do I need a relay since I wont be running it through the ignition switch?

The first thing you need to do is find out what the amperage draw from the Alpine unit is. That will tell you 100% as to what size wire guage to use, and whether or not a small toggle switch can handle the current draw. If you do not know the specifications for the unit, you may ask any Alpine dealer and they can tell you, or send a e-mail to Alpine and they will reply in kind. The worst case is that noone knows at all, and you simply use a 12 guage power wire, and a 30 amp SPDT relay, wired in with a small amperage switch.

syncroguzzi wrote: 2. What does the parking brake wire for the ECU do and is it possible to bypass it?

It is intended to prevent you from using the unit to view movies thru the Alpine unit. It can be bypassed with the proper wiring or a after market module. BTW: Everytime you read something as stupid as was written from the previous poster. Simply ask yourself, this. If all the stupid ignorant people simply vanished, think about how much more clean air there would be for the rest of us . . . Regards EVIL Teken . . .

Thanks for the Help! The Nav unit's listed max draw is 1.3 A, I don't think that will be a problem with the switch I had in mind. I was more concerned with the sudden 12V when it is flipped on w/o running it through a SPDT relay with a diode-maybe I'm way off. Anyway, I will use an aftermarket module for the display's hand/foot brake bypass and will just ground the hand brake wire from the Nav's ECU. Thanks Again, and I'm sure I'll have more questions when I get to the install this weekend -Ryan