Insurance Quotes
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers
UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site
All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts
All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs
All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories
Join for Free Log In

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Wiring up a car stereo
Post Reply
PersonCrankyhorse
11/7/2012 at 9:07pm
 Location: Northampton
 Outfit: 91 silverline silvercrest 12 2 GT View Crankyhorse's Profile View Profile   Reply to Crankyhorse Reply   Quote Crankyhorse Quote  
Joined: 20/5/2009

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   173
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
My caravan has no radio at the moment so I want to fit a car cd player under or in a wall unit.

The easiest 12v source will be from one of the strip lights. Will tapping in to the light wiring suffice or should I run a feed from the power board?


PersonG7ACU
11/7/2012 at 9:28pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0 View G7ACU's Profile View Profile   Reply to G7ACU Reply   Quote G7ACU Quote  
Joined: 22/9/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2617
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
You could get away with this, although I'd always favour a dedicated connection back off the 12v distribution. If you intend to connect the 12v permanent feed for memory retention too, this would really be on the only option.

This might give some inspiration here.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


PersonJTQU
11/7/2012 at 9:40pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S View JTQU's Profile View Profile   Reply to JTQU Reply   Quote JTQU Quote  
Joined: 01/11/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2193
Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
In my experience I have had to replicate the ignition switch function. Without it even with the radio itself switched off it drained the battery. And as mentioned they have to have a maintained supply that is separate from the supplies feed via the habitation relay used in modern vans.


PersonCrankyhorse
11/7/2012 at 9:46pm
 Location: Northampton
 Outfit: 91 silverline silvercrest 12 2 GT View Crankyhorse's Profile View Profile   Reply to Crankyhorse Reply   Quote Crankyhorse Quote  
Joined: 20/5/2009

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   173
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Thanks, the radio memory issue is a good point.

Interesting link there but the one thing I would be unsure about is how to route the power from under a seat to the wall unit and still hide the new wiring.   


Persontimtheenchanter
12/7/2012 at 8:39am
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW View timtheenchanter's Profile View Profile   Reply to timtheenchanter Reply   Quote timtheenchanter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3331
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
I didnt bother with the memory bit, I have to retune on most sites anyway, I still used a dedicated feed though, I got my cable though the wardrobe (with the rest of the van wiring)


Advertisement



Personmawkwind
12/7/2012 at 9:47am
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Chrysler 300c Touring & Stealth Q58 View mawkwind's Profile View Profile   Reply to mawkwind Reply   Quote mawkwind Quote  
Joined: 24/7/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   258
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

 

Try running it up a corner or up the side of a window where it will be hidden by a curtain.



-------------
Greetings from the frozen north !


Personclever
12/7/2012 at 2:40pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria+Altea+542DT View clever's Profile View Profile   Reply to clever Reply   Quote clever Quote  
Joined: 28/2/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1246
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
We just use the radio through the TV via Freeview. We can also play Music through the built in DVD drive.

Saves having anothe device in the van.


Persontimtheenchanter
12/7/2012 at 3:34pm
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW View timtheenchanter's Profile View Profile   Reply to timtheenchanter Reply   Quote timtheenchanter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3331
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
try this if you cant hide the cables completely, they do a nice compact 1/4 round trunking that would hide in the corner quite easily.


PersonG7ACU
12/7/2012 at 8:11pm
 Location: West Mids
 Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0 View G7ACU's Profile View Profile   Reply to G7ACU Reply   Quote G7ACU Quote  
Joined: 22/9/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2617
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
The stuff that timtheenchanter has linked to is ideal and in fact some vans (mine included) use this anyway. It's neat and easy to use and you'll soon forget the stuff's trunked down from the cupboards to the back of the seats where you can easily hide and route cabling.

Screwfix sell this stuff in packs, but you might find they sell individual lengths in-store (they do with other pipework etc). The 'sheds' tend only to sell it in multipacks though.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...















    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.


5475 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement
Roofbox