Thread: flat battery advice please

Hi,

I think that the entertainment system can drain the battery that fast. If it is a D4 and you have the smart key, was it in the cabin while you were working? Because if so, then the car seems to sit with the "ignition" on even though it is not started. I think all the computers and ECU stay up and running and together they drain the battery pretty quickly.

Just my observations based on my D4..

I didn't know there was a switch on the Traxide unit - is that only on the new version?

Thanks I'll have to watch it then - I often work with the radio on (well...used to )

Stornoway, Traxide had an option for for the controller/isolator which allows both batteries to share power when required (winching/flat cranking battery). Glad I spent the extra now!

For what it is worth ignore the UHF, I have been running sets in all my vehicles (mainly vans all with Z70 batteries) since it became available in Aust. They were always hard wired and were permanently on 24/7 7 days a week.
Never had a problem with any batteries, if the vehicle went out of service for a week or so I would turn it off but for a few days did not worry just left it on, started with FM320's went to GME and Uniden treated them all the same.

DD

Hi Andrew and using the sound system while working on an RR, RRS, D3 or D4 is a NO-NO if the motor is not running.

Even with the volume down low, the sound system is not the only device being powered while the sound system is on.

In worst case, you can be pulling as much as 30 amps and no battery can tolerate that for long.

By the way, and I know you probably don’t need any excuse but you need to take you wheels for a good drive.

An hour at least, to get a good charge into your cranking battery and to fully charge your Optima.

NOTE, once you have had your drive, and before you turn the motor off, make sure the switch on your In-Cab module is switched away from the LED.

This puts the isolator in SHARED Mode and while the motor is off, will allow your Optima to back discharge into your cranking battery and help to charge it a bit more, after each drive.

thanks Tim
went for a drive yesterday after posting (and today) and all good again.

I've got to wonder though, if the radio has such a huge draw, why they even allow it to switch on without the engine running......??????

Originally Posted by stray dingo

thanks Tim
went for a drive yesterday after posting (and today) and all good again.

I've got to wonder though, if the radio has such a huge draw, why they even allow it to switch on without the engine running......??????

I imagine a lot more people would complain if they couldn't have the radio on for a few minutes? It will limit itself to low-power mode when on too long - as long as you heed that and switch off, there should still be adequate power to start. Mine always has.

Cheers,

Gordon

I can appreciate that, but at the same time can many times when people would prefer it playable for a length of time. (although it would keep the caravan parks a lot quieter )

In my case, I was working in the garage, not looking at the screen to heed the warning. The first time it shut itself off, but the battery was still drained by then. However, when trying to start the car, the message came up to turn off the radio (which I couldn't cos the power would immediately die). The second time, I did see the message appear, turned off the radio, and the car still didn't start.

I can't see why turning on a radio with out the ignition on should start so many systems that the power drain is so high.