Alternate power source for radio in the RT

Thanks everybody for your input. Interesting, I had no idea that the entertainment center worked on 110 v line only.
I will get to work on the cables back and ask for further help, if needed.

bob_nestor wrote:
I'm in the process of replacing the crappy Eclipse AVN4430 in-dash radio/GPS that came in my 2010 Roadtrek 210P with a Kenwood Garmin unit. One thing I noticed is that when I disconnected the chassis battery before pulling things apart I still had power to the dash! It was coming from the coach batteries. If this is true in your case then a simple wiring change should fix the problem for you.

The power for the in-dash radio is on three wires - red, yellow and black. The red wire is controlled via the ACC switch position on the ignition. The yellow wire goes directly to the battery, and the black wire is ground. So it would seem the simple solution is to disconnect the red wire and connect it into the yellow wire. One downside is that you'll have to always remember to turn the radio off when it's not in use.

Alternatively you can disconnect the red wire and run it directly to the chassis battery.

BTW, the color coding on the wiring seems to be standard, i.e. the colors are the same on both the Eclipse and Kenwood for the same functions.

There is some connection from the Eclipse in the dash to the coach batteries - or the Chevy engine battery is triggered by something in the coach. We have had the Eclipse come on and then go off again in about a minute when the engine is off and we are in the coach with the battery switch on. We have yet to figure out what triggers this as it has happened under various circumstances including nothing at all.

And to the OP - the home entertainment center in the newer Roadtreks is 110 v and only works on shore power, inverter, or generator.

I'm in the process of replacing the crappy Eclipse AVN4430 in-dash radio/GPS that came in my 2010 Roadtrek 210P with a Kenwood Garmin unit. One thing I noticed is that when I disconnected the chassis battery before pulling things apart I still had power to the dash! It was coming from the coach batteries. If this is true in your case then a simple wiring change should fix the problem for you.

The power for the in-dash radio is on three wires - red, yellow and black. The red wire is controlled via the ACC switch position on the ignition. The yellow wire goes directly to the battery, and the black wire is ground. So it would seem the simple solution is to disconnect the red wire and connect it into the yellow wire. One downside is that you'll have to always remember to turn the radio off when it's not in use.

Alternatively you can disconnect the red wire and run it directly to the chassis battery.

BTW, the color coding on the wiring seems to be standard, i.e. the colors are the same on both the Eclipse and Kenwood for the same functions.

All you have to do is find the radio power wire and redirect it's connection to somewhere that is powered by the coach battery. That will likely require pulling the dash apart to get access. It's not that hard, I've probably installed nearly 100 car stereos over the years for friends and family.
Any good car stereo shop should be able to do the work for you if you don't want to mess with it.