Battery drainer

[bigdaddycain]

the stereo does switch off but theres a red light that comes on at the switch that suggests to me that it is in standby mode...does popping the face plate off stop this or does the stereo still think that its in standby mode ?

it's just a cheap halfords effort so perhaps a new one could be in order....one that does power down completely. Any suggestions ?

Either that or i just put the fuse back in instead of the wire from the Willinton kit...that way, the stereo will only work when the engine is running....and when I want to use the LB, plug the cable back in...

Have you tried holding the power button in as i suggested above mcbainia? Did it work?

[bigdaddycain]

Simply unplugging the unit would lose all the settings, radio stations presets etc

[bigdaddycain]

I read on here a long time ago that a failing strip light in the back, even though turned off could drain the LB.. Or the main for that matter...? or did i dream that up???

You didn't dream it up Jamie... I think that was Franco's dodgey light.

[missfixit70]

I read on here a long time ago that a failing strip light in the back, even though turned off could drain the LB.. Or the main for that matter...? or did i dream that up???

No you didn't a few people had this issue in the past, also quite a few stereos seem to cause a power drain even when they are apparantly switched off. I fitted a manual switch on the dash as my Aldi one does it. IIRC someone came up with a theory that a couple of wires in the loom are tranposed or something? Never got around to checking it out on mine.

[mcbainia]

It's getting windy out there!! Just tried holding down the button but it still has the red light on (standyby)...I held it down for 20 secs.

One thing I did notice whilst out there is that Its actually a JVC stereo and not a Panasonic that I claimed earlier...my wife's car has a panasonic stereo....sorry

[longhaul8]

I have a JVC stero in my bongo wired to the lb and i leave the front on all week while the van is parked up at work with no problem at all.

[jaylee]

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... ps-sellers

This was plugged into the 12v slot constantly and my mechanic thinks that this might be the culprit.

I'll tell you something else that may have a bearing on this... Or may not.!

When i fitted my closure module to the mirrors, & was still trying to work out why it didn't work on the mirrors when i locked up when i left the switch on mirror open... (As you know it works now.) Two things would happen before i sussed it... 1, the radio would turn itself on for the duration of the closure module (4 seconds?) If left on, but ignition off... & 2. if my sat nav was plugged in the cig socket & fully charged the mirrors would actually close slightly.... Not a good idea having the sat nav on view i know, but by the by!

I found out using a fused relay i had to ground & change polarity while the mirror switch was still set to open closed it on locking with the module, then they would open out starting the van...

Funny thing these Bongos...!

[jaylee]

... & to add, the weird stuff stopped.

[dave_aber]

Is there a way of switching the stereo off other than pulling the wire out of the fuse box ?

When I fitted my L/B, I decided that I wanted the convenience of the ignition controlling power to the stereo, and i wanted to run the stereo from the L/B when parked up on site.

So, to satisfy these 2 conflicting requirements, I have a 2-way switch mounted on the dash which selects left/off/right as the power source to the radio. So, when it's set to "right", it is powered from the S/B via the ignition switch, set to "left" it's off the L/B (and would drain it in standby eventually) and in mid position it's off completely. The memory feed is still always connected to the S/B.

[madmile]

I must admit, if I ever have problems with battery drain, then its usually jap stereo, or Lidl, aldi rubbish (about .2A ). Never had a problem with kenwood,jvc,sony,etc. Some do have the red light on the on/off button, but simply detatching or even just popping the face off will stop this.

[TonyBee]

One thing I do not see being mentioned as the cause is the fact that the car stereo has to have two supplies (sorry if I have missed it and therefore repeating it).
One to power the unit when switched on and one to retain the memory when in standby or off.
If both of these are being fed from the LB then there will be a larger than normal drain as the stereo is always in standby waiting to power up.
Does your stereo turn off when you turn off the ignition?
The feed to power the stereo is normally an ignition switched live supply but a lot of us like to use it when camping so power it from the LB.
Dave has the right idea about supplying the stereo via a switch when parked up to prevent LB drain when parked up.

Try disconnecting the stereo completely and see if the drain drops.

Tony

[wormey]

I have had battery drain issue on another type of vehicle, it was the rear heated screen relay sticking in the on position and draining the battery.

I know that it shouldn't be connected to the leisure battery, but put your hand on the glass to test if it's warm or not.

Daz

[dandywarhol]

IMO TonyBee's on the right track...................................disconnect the radio completely and see how the battery responds. The interior light theory is correct - I've come across it, but only, of course, if the LB is supplying it.

[cbeeson]

I'm investigating my car radio battery drain too. Asking myself is it actually a good idea to use the car radio off the LB, or would I be better with a battery portable.

Couple of gotchas. If you disconnect the radio (mine's a JVC) it reverts to 'demo' mode, which is a royal pain! A dash switch to select LB or SB would driver me nuts!

Trying to measure overall LB current drain by removing the big in-line fuse next to the LB, and connecting a multimeter (cheap!) across the holder. There's a big current surge as the connection is made, which blows the meter's fuse. Probably capacitors in the radio charging up. Makes direct current drain measurement difficult.

So far, it looks as if listening to the radio off the LB is more of a drain than running the fridge! Even Radio 4!

[g8dhe]

Cap's in the radio or anywhere else for that matter won't blow the fuse in the meter, unless you have a BIG amplifier fitted
Connect your meter across the fuse socket then remove the fuse itself, that way there is no surge.
The fuse your connecting to is the Supply side fuse and not one of the two Charging fuses from the S/B - Alternator ?