Living with the starter battery

[G-RMPS]

Hi,

I wired my cab Pioneer satnav/audio system so that it will play music with the ignition off.

How can I determine when I need to discontinue using this to ensure the engine will still start? The control panel is currently showing 12.2 volts under load.

Thanks...Keith

 

[Gellyneck]

Hi,

I wired my cab Pioneer satnav/audio system so that it will play music with the ignition off.

How can I determine when I need to discontinue using this to ensure the engine will still start? The control panel is currently showing 12.2 volts under load.

Thanks...Keith

Could you not wire the permanent live feed to your leisure battery removing the "starting" issue?
As to how long to drain the vehicle battery?

 

[G-RMPS]

I could but I didn’t. Much easier wiring behind the dash.

I guess the unit won’t be drawing more than an amp.

But my question really is how to interpret the voltage displayed on the control panel.

Thanks...Keith

 

[monzer]

Been there, done that had to find someone with a battery booster. Stereos seem to use more power than you'd imagine.

I don't bother now and am looking for a decent battery powered speaker to work with the ipod.

 

[berni109]

Disconnect the battery leave to stand for at least an hour then take the voltage. If it's less than 12.3 or 12.4 then it's less than half full. Down at 12v its just about empty.

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[HandyAndy]

Try washing your car in the sun at home one day with the stereo on.. trust me the battery does not last long
However, with a little science you can determine exactly how long it'll last by measuring the amp draw of the device with an "amps clamp meter" then looking at the amp/hr rating of the battery.
Either way though, your time and energy would be better spent wiring it properly to the hab battery instead of bodging it to the starter battery and causing yourself anxiety about when you have to turn the radio off and whether the van will start afterwards..
Save yourself the bother and do it properly, it's ONE wire!

 

[ambulancekidd]

Try washing your car in the sun at home one day with the stereo on.. trust me the battery does not last long
However, with a little science you can determine exactly how long it'll last by measuring the amp draw of the device with an "amps clamp meter" then looking at the amp/hr rating of the battery.
Either way though, your time and energy would be better spent wiring it properly to the hab battery instead of bodging it to the starter battery and causing yourself anxiety about when you have to turn the radio off and whether the van will start afterwards..
Save yourself the bother and do it properly

Yep, what he said makes perfect sense.

 

[hilldweller]

Disconnect the battery.

Have you ever done this on a modern vehicle engine battery ?

And don't forget to make sure you have the radio security code before your do.

 

[berni109]

Yep. At least twice a year. Bit of a pain to get at but dont want a flat battery when not used for a while and it will be if left for more than a couple of weeks. Just disconnect the earth lead.

 

[gus-lopez]

yep about 3 hours tops if playing cd's. Not a problem these days with solar power keeping them all topped up oncluding the engine

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[pappajohn]

How can I determine when I need to discontinue using this to ensure the engine will still start?

In a word..... You can't.
OK, that's two words but you can't tell.
You don't even have to wire back to the hab battery, just find a hab powered supply of the same or greater fuse rating and connect to that with the correct fuse in line.

 

[G-RMPS]

Thanks, guys.

Monzer, I have a Bose Mini speaker. Excellent, but again needs charging from time-to-time.

 

[Richard n Ann]

We never used to use the cab radio because of this, but since I fitted the solar panel the Votronic 350 regulator tops up the engine battery too. And the cab door speakers are a better sound than any free standing thing, just ask our neighbours Happy days.