Tekonsha P3 Battery Drain

[wbowner]

hi
I have a problem where i can't leave my car for more than 5 days with out experiencing the low battery warning.

I have a traxide dual battery, tokensha p3 brake controller and the anti rust gear.

I took the car to LR to see if that bulletin about getting the message was applicable.

According to LR the bulletin was not applicable and they did a diagnostic test on my system, which they charged for. I had not expected that but am happy it was done.

They reckon my problem is the tokens p3 brake controller. They reckon it has a 100mA current draw on it.
I only bought this controller about 20 months ago.
Has any one else experienced this?

I have had other problems with braking when I tow my van. The braking gets very jerky when at slow speeds.

May be my controller is stuffed?

Richard

[Silvo]

You could unplug it and see if you have the same issue. It can't draw current if it isn't plugged in. You could do the same thing for the other system mentioned to troubleshoot which one may be the culprit.

Dan

[wbowner]

You could unplug it and see if you have the same issue. It can't draw current if it isn't plugged in. You could do the same thing for the other system mentioned to troubleshoot which one may be the culprit.

Dan

Dan,
I believe LR did that to prove it was the problem. I asked them.

I will try and repeat this as well, to be sure.

Richard

[LandyAndy]

I had the same controller in my D2,I had to leave that unplugged as the battery drain which already was bad was much worst.
I have Redarc in the D4,it only "wakes up" when a trailer is detected.
Andrew

[incisor]

Interesting thread...

[Silvo]

i had the p3 and never had a problem.. what about installing an ignition relay on the thing so it only comes on when the car is on?

Dan

[wbowner]

i had the p3 and never had a problem.. what about installing an ignition relay on the thing so it only comes on when the car is on?

Dan

I had a p3 on my previous car and had no problems either so suspect I may have either a dud controller or it has a problem with the wiring.


Richard

[loneranger]

Can we move this thread to another section.

I clicked on it because I have a Tekonsha and am experiencing the same thing in my Defender since I've left it plugged in. I have the Traxide kit as well.

[wbowner]

Can we move this thread to another section.

I clicked on it because I have a Tekonsha and am experiencing the same thing in my Defender since I've left it plugged in. I have the Traxide kit as well.

I have no problem with it being moved if some one can do it.

On another note:
One issue I am not sure of is how LR tested my car. As the P3 only powers down after 15 minutes there testing would be invalid if they tested before it had.

I am trying to find out.



Richard

[TerryO]

I remember there being a very similar thread about Techonsa brake controllers fitted to vehicles with dual battery kits some years ago here in the D3/4/RRS section.

Sorry I don't remember what the solution was, might be an idea to do a search.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

100 mA draw?
so after 10 hours its drawn 1 aH?

[Don 130]

We had an earlier model Teconsha brake controller fitted to one of our utes. While out camping one night we noticed that even though there was no trailer attached to the vehicle, the brake lights would randomly light up. It had only recently been fitted so we went back to the auto electrician with it. He said he'd had similar issues with the brand and changed it for a Redarc unit which has been faultless since. I've used Redarc since.
Don.

[drivesafe]

Hi Richard, as Pedro has pointed out, 100ma is less than 2.5 amps draw a day and should not effect your batteries unless you do very little and or short drives.

Can you post up your normal driving habits?

[theins]

I have had a P3 for about 18 months now. First in my D3 and now in my D4. Have not had any issues, even when I left the car sitting in the driveway for 7 weeks.

Might be something to do with the wiring?

[wbowner]

Hi Richard, as Pedro has pointed out, 100ma is less than 2.5 amps draw a day and should not effect your batteries unless you do very little and or short drives.

Can you post up your normal driving habits?

Tim
I am not sure about the figures but if I leave my car idle for 5+ days = 120+ hours would that make a difference

Hunting around the web I found a comment in the ettailer web site that it should only draw a 3.6 mA when not in use. Where mine according to LR is drawing 100mA.

So if true something a miss with the controller or wiring.

I have not tested this my self yet as been a bit busy but will.

Richard


I

[Pedro_The_Swift]

This seems like a suitable place,,:angel:

how do we test for mA draw?

[wbowner]

First I have to admit this stuff confuses me a bit
So what you are saying is if the P3 continuously draws 100mA and the car is left idle for at least 5 days then I should not get a low battery message in my D4.

LR reckons it will but perhaps I should take my car to an auto electrician to verify. I am unsure who at LR checked it.

Richard

[Bearman]

First I have to admit this stuff confuses me a bit
So what you are saying is if the P3 continuously draws 100mA and the car is left idle for at least 5 days then I should not get a low battery message in my D4.

LR reckons it will but perhaps I should take my car to an auto electrician to verify. I am unsure who at LR checked it.

Richard

I would be looking at the anti rust unit. If it is an electronic one it will draw a fair bit of power.

[wbowner]

I would be looking at the anti rust unit. If it is an electronic one it will draw a fair bit of power.

Are you saying LR got it wrong:D Never.

I thunk I will get some one else to look at it.


I raised a similar thread some time ago and the consensus was it was the anti rust.
I only raised this one because LR indicated it was the tenkonsha P3 and i was wondering if others had troubles with them. I went in to see them about the LR bulletin about the message appearing when it shouldn't. Some how I agreed for them to do a full diagnosis check.

So please excuse my bit of repartition


Richard

[Bearman]

Unhook the anti rust controller for a week or two and see what happens Richard.

[AnD3rew]

I have a Tekonsha Primus IQ, not P3, in my D3 with a traxide DBS and never had a problem. My Disco regularly goes a week or more without driving these days and no problems at all.

[DiscoMick]

I have the Tekonsha P3 and it shuts down after being parked for a while. It hasn't caused me a problem. I do have a Traxide unit but don't see why it would have any effect. After being parked for two weeks it still starts, although a bit weakly.

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