Ducato Radio Switch Ofg

[Rozzer]

Hi Funsters,

Anybody who has bought a recent Fiat based Moho with the splendid new dashboard layout may have encountered the radio switching off after 20mins when the ignition is off. I’ve got a lovely Swift with great speakers front and in the rear and can Bluetooth to the radio media system. For 20mins.

The Ducato we had before you could change the switch off time in “camper mode to I think 180 mins in config easily. But not with the Ducato 10 system. This is to protect the battery and all you have to do is press the on button every 20 mins if you don’t like it Fiat say you can go get another radio fitted. At your expense.

On Motorhome and Caravan Club site an unhappy Swift Owner is now taking action against Fiat on the basis that the radio is not fit for purpose in a motorhome, using CAMC legal cover.

Well done that man, he is asking that anybody irritated by this should log a complaint with their dealer, manufacturer and Fiat who are indifferent to the situation. Fiat are also indifferent to the fact that you can easily lock your keys in the motorhome on the new models. They obviously place little value on the leisure vehicle use of their Ducato cab/chassis!

In the meantime I’m seeing if my best mate with his electronic degree can sort mine out, if remotely practical for electronic phobics like me I’ll let you know!

 

[Pausim]

I thought it was a standard feature on most vehicles that the radio should shut down soon after the engine was switched off. On my motorhome the radio can be re-activated and left on for long periods by switching to leisure battery power. Fiat make motor vehicles and protecting the engine battery is a sensible precaution. Swift convert them to motorhomes and should have made provision for powering the radio when the engine is switched off. Swift are to blame not Fiat.

 

[Bognor Saint]

On ours we have a 2 position rocker switch. Position 1 radio switches on off with ignition. Position 2 radio on.

 

[dulvil]

My peaugeot traveller switches radio off straight away to save the poxy little battery that they fit,

 

[Barti Ddu]

I saw the similar post yesterday.

Much Ado About Nothing.

It's a design feature not a fault.

In any event, the radio auto-turn-off can be easily bypassed with £5 worth of parts from Halfords and half an hour of your time.

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[Rozzer]

If you could expand on that would be appreciated Barti!

 

[Just smiffy]

On Motorhome and Caravan Club site an unhappy Swift Owner is now taking action against Fiat on the basis that the radio is not fit for purpose in a motorhome, using CAMC legal cover.

Fiat don’t make motorhomes….

 

[Barti Ddu]

If you could expand on that would be appreciated Barti!

Basically, you just need one of these - Position 1 ignition switched as usual. Position 2 connected to a permanent live so head unit stays on indefinitely.

Halfords 3 Position Toggle Switch (ELEC273) | Halfords UK

Shop the latest at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

I've mounted the switch in the upper Ducato glovebox so it's neatly out of sight.

Alternatively you can get a prewired kit from here -

Drive/Camping Switch Wiring Kit – Wildebus

www.wildebus.com

Looks like not currently available though, although I think the seller is a member on here, but forget his username.

Edit - I think it's Hoovie on here that sells the prewired switch. Apologies if I'm wrong.

 

[Bognor Saint]

On ours we have a 2 position rocker switch. Position 1 radio switches on off with ignition. Position 2 radio on.

I have ammended my post. It's actually a 3 position rocker switch, the central position is everything off. I don't know if this was a Fiat installation or if it was put in by the converters, Dethleffs. We've had the motorhome from new and it came like this..

 

[Pausim]

If you wire in a bypass make sure the permanent live is from the leisure battery not the engine battery. This is what Swift should have done in the first place.

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[GAVLAD]

I’ll look forward to my CAMC membership cost going up again then to help pay for his legal fees in this all important legal battle. Thanks CAMC for taking this on.

 

[Pausim]

Th

I’ll look forward to my CAMC membership cost going up again then to help pay for his legal fees in this all important legal battle. Thanks CAMC for taking this on.

Think how much more the lawyers can make pursuing the wrong company (Fiat) and then pursuing the possible culprit (Swift), before finally telling the client that this is not a feature provided on this particular motorhome.

 

[Fatboy]

Agree, my old X290 was 3hrs I think, this new series 8 cab is 20 mins.

 

[Driventemple]

I wired up the radio - a Fiat U-Connect, to the Leisure battery but it still is limited to 180 minutes because it's controled by the canbus link to the ECU.

 

[NigelNovice]

I fitted a second circuit with a switch and a Diode in the live lines to prevent reverse feed as mine is an Android unit and can do other things

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[Roby2008]

Never use the radio when not moving, have a JBL Bluetooth speaker linked to phone or player when parked, as for the guy having an issue, he will have no success, as said FIAT build vans/Chassis cabs not MHs....