12V ignition source HELP!

[RitchiE30]

I hope i'm posting in the right section. Here's the situation i'm installing air ride on my e30 (yes save the negative comments I know) and when it comes to the management system a controller is supplied in order to control ride heights. Now here is my problem I need a 12 volt ignition source. This should have Zero (0) Volts when there is not key in the ignition, 12 volts when I turn my key to accessories, a constant 12 volts while i am cranking, and a constant 12 volts as the vehicle is running. I know I can go straight to the fuse box in order to get this voltage but the wiring is too short to reach that far. The locations I can reach are the trunk, back seats, front seats, center console, and under dash.

Any suggestions?

[StereoInstaller1]

Here is the reply I sent via PM:

If you want power in accessory, ignition and crank, there is not one circuit anywhere on the car that will work.

If you want to build one, all you need is a diode and a relay.

What I would do if I were you is tougher to do, takes 2 relays and some diodes, but I would do a "Retained Accessory Power" circuit.

How that would work is once the doors are closed and you turn the key on, power will stay live until you open the door. If you need power on with the doors open, have the key on.

You could also tie sunroof power, window power and radio power to the RAP circuit so all the useful shit stays on until you open the door...kinda sexy IMO.

Luke

[RitchiE30]

So as stated the Fuel pump and ECU/DME would not have 12volt on ACC. What about the power wire that comes from the radio to the antenna in the trunk? it is Zero volts with key out, 12v at ACC and 12v the with engine running..True?

[StereoInstaller1]

No sir. Power antenna has 2 wires: constant and remote.

As I said, there is not one single circuit anywhere that does what you are asking...none.

This is true of virtually every car ever made BTW.

[RitchiE30]

As I said, there is not one single circuit anywhere that does what you are asking...none.

This is true of virtually every car ever made BTW.

If this is true for basically every car, I think I am wording my question incorrectly.

Here is a reply I received from the company maybe this will provide insight. "The ignition source should be anything that the controller will come on when in the "on" position stay on when in the "start" position then back to "on"

[RitchiE30]

Wiring Diagram provided with system

https://bagriders.com/modlab/tech/in...utoPilotV2.pdf

[StereoInstaller1]

Yes, I got exactly...YOU are the one asking for ACC to be live too.

Again, there is not one single circuit anywhere that is live on ACC, RUN and START.

RUN and START, no issue. ACC and RUN, again no issue...ACC, RUN and START can happen if you wanna do it, but you are the one asking for that, not the airbags.

[bubbajan21]

ACC and RUN, again no issue...

Slightly OT, but can you give a few good places to pull 12V off of for ACC and RUN?

Also can you elaborate on the "Retained Accessory Power" circuit, I'd love to run my windows on that circuit.

[StereoInstaller1]

The ACC runs pretty much only the radio. You can tag it behind the deck pretty easily, or the ignition switch.

R.A.P. (Retained Accessory Power): http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relaydiagram30.html

[RitchiE30]

This is a late reply.

To solve my situation, I decided to wire in a toggle switch to my entire management system. I choose a wire that had a constant 12 volts (hot at all times). Tapping into that wire with some connectors, crimps, and shrink wrap made it neat and tidy. With this I am able to kill the entire system as I please without turning off the vehicle. I am also able to use the system without the key present in the ignition.

[RitchiE30]

Yes, I got exactly...YOU are the one asking for ACC to be live too.

Again, there is not one single circuit anywhere that is live on ACC, RUN and START.

RUN and START, no issue. ACC and RUN, again no issue...ACC, RUN and START can happen if you wanna do it, but you are the one asking for that, not the airbags.

What you stated does not entirely make sense to me, and it also seems pretty rude. Thanks for the help, but I've figured out a way that works much better to my preference.

[AndrewBird]

Pretty much the only thing that gets power on start is the starter and DME, both of which don't get power at ACC, so...

[RitchiE30]

Yea I completely understand, I was just relaying the information I received from the Manufacture for the Air Ride system. It was a bit confusing so I posted on here for some clarity.