New stereo draining battery :(

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dublicious
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New stereo draining battery :(

Post by dublicious »

Lo Guys,

Since installing the new stereo it drains our leisure battery after 2 days! The existing wiring hasn't changed at all as it is an ISO connector. Ripped out the new stereo today and the battery seems to be holding. All I know is the old stereo was connected in the same way and didn't have issues, any thoughts?

Take care,

Jamie
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CovKid
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Post by CovKid »

Yep, I had same prob. On new stereos there are two lives - one for its memory and one for the amp. Chances are you've got the live for the amp connected all the time - connect that to a live thats only live when ignition is on. Just because stereo is off, don't assume its not eating current.
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AngeloEvs
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Post by AngeloEvs »

Some stereos require a ridiculous current level to maintain the memory module, what channels, how the EQ is set, etc. Pain in the asz! Disconnect the memory lead and see if it still flattens the battery.

Just read CovKids reply, do that first!
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Spiral
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Re: New stereo draining battery :(

Post by Spiral »

dublicious wrote:Lo Guys,

Since installing the new stereo it drains our leisure battery after 2 days! The existing wiring hasn't changed at all as it is an ISO connector. Ripped out the new stereo today and the battery seems to be holding. All I know is the old stereo was connected in the same way and didn't have issues, any thoughts?

Take care,

Jamie

I also had the same problem after removing old existing stereo from my westy and installing new stereo, although I have the stereo connected to the engine battery and not the leisure battery. My way of solving the problem was to install a cut out switch on the live wire (red) and fitting the switch on the dash so that when the stereo was not it use the cut out switch was in the "off" position - hence the live wire was not taking the power out of the battery any more
Last edited by Spiral on 31 Jul 2008, 22:03, edited 1 time in total.
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kevtherev
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Post by kevtherev »

drains it Flat?

My new stereo needed a constant live from the leisure, it was just a few milli amps for the settings.
and another live from the leisure that was switched on by the stereo.

is the old ISO connector in your van suitable for the new unit?
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)
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dublicious
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Post by dublicious »

Ah right. I am not very up with car electrics. I don't really want to mess with the original ISO connector, to be honest I don't know what to do at all. Also does this mean the stereo will only work when the van is running ?

many thanks,
J

CovKid wrote:Yep, I had same prob. On new stereos there are two lives - one for its memory and one for the amp. Chances are you've got the live for the amp connected all the time - connect that to a live thats only live when ignition is on. Just because stereo is off, don't assume its not eating current.
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Post by dublicious »

Ah right. I am not very up with car electrics. I don't really want to mess with the original ISO connector, to be honest I don't know what to do at all. Also does this mean the stereo will only work when the van is running ?

many thanks,

J

CovKid wrote:Yep, I had same prob. On new stereos there are two lives - one for its memory and one for the amp. Chances are you've got the live for the amp connected all the time - connect that to a live thats only live when ignition is on. Just because stereo is off, don't assume its not eating current.
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dublicious
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Post by dublicious »

to be honest it looks like I am going to have to do some reading, not a scooby :(

Is it easy enough to remove the memory wire from ISO connector?

I assumed as it is an ISO connector it will work with the new stereo, which it does, just drains me battery :( I don't really want to be putting switches on etc as I would forget to turn it off :oops:

I need a dummies guide :)


cheers guys,

j
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Spiral
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Post by Spiral »

dublicious wrote:Ah right. I am not very up with car electrics. I don't really want to mess with the original ISO connector, to be honest I don't know what to do at all. Also does this mean the stereo will only work when the van is running ?

many thanks,

J

CovKid wrote:Yep, I had same prob. On new stereos there are two lives - one for its memory and one for the amp. Chances are you've got the live for the amp connected all the time - connect that to a live thats only live when ignition is on. Just because stereo is off, don't assume its not eating current.

Yep, CovKid is right. Problem with that is you have to have your keys in the ignition for the stereo to work :shock: For obvious reasons I've given this some serious thought and feel that the cut out switch on the live wire is the better option. At least then when the stereo is working, the keys can be safely in your pocket :wink:
Last edited by Spiral on 31 Jul 2008, 23:06, edited 1 time in total.
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kevtherev
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Post by kevtherev »

did the new unit come with a wiring manual?
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dublicious
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Post by dublicious »

can this be avoided by buying certain brand, model? Would be bloody good if the stereo would fit as well so I don't loose my knuckles when changing gear :)

Spiral wrote:
dublicious wrote:Ah right. I am not very up with car electrics. I don't really want to mess with the original ISO connector, to be honest I don't know what to do at all. Also does this mean the stereo will only work when the van is running ?

many thanks,

J

CovKid wrote:Yep, I had same prob. On new stereos there are two lives - one for its memory and one for the amp. Chances are you've got the live for the amp connected all the time - connect that to a live thats only live when ignition is on. Just because stereo is off, don't assume its not eating current.

Yep, CovKid is right. Problem with that is you have to have your keys in the ignition for the stereo to work :shock: For obvious reasons I've give this some serious thought and feel that the cut out switch on the live wire is the better option. At least then when the stereo is working, the keys can be safely in your pocket :wink:
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Post by dublicious »

It came with some sort of manual, will have to dig it out. I recall looking at the colour coding of wires and they seemed to be OK, but can guarantee that. More that likely I assumed as its ISO it will work, eek.

kevtherev wrote:did the new unit come with a wiring manual?
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kevtherev
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Post by kevtherev »

I fitted a Pioneer DEH40MP with the 90deg ISO wiring accessory, I could have fitted it without a 10mm spacer.

It may be worth checking the live and trickle as it would be cheaper than getting a new one.
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Post by Spiral »

dublicious wrote:can this be avoided by buying certain brand, model? Would be bloody good if the stereo would fit as well so I don't loose my knuckles when changing gear :)

Spiral wrote:
dublicious wrote:Ah right. I am not very up with car electrics. I don't really want to mess with the original ISO connector, to be honest I don't know what to do at all. Also does this mean the stereo will only work when the van is running ?

many thanks,

J


Yep, CovKid is right. Problem with that is you have to have your keys in the ignition for the stereo to work :shock: For obvious reasons I've give this some serious thought and feel that the cut out switch on the live wire is the better option. At least then when the stereo is working, the keys can be safely in your pocket :wink:

I get the feeling that all new stereos are likely to drain the battery on your van. In addition to the draining the battery problem, are you also saying that the length of your new stereo is longer than the old one so that it doesn't fit flush with the dash? If so, have you taken the dash ashtray out (above the stereo) to see if there's anything in the way that is stopping you from fitting it flush?
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Spiral
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Post by Spiral »

dublicious wrote:can this be avoided by buying certain brand, model? Would be bloody good if the stereo would fit as well so I don't loose my knuckles when changing gear :)

Spiral wrote:
dublicious wrote:Ah right. I am not very up with car electrics. I don't really want to mess with the original ISO connector, to be honest I don't know what to do at all. Also does this mean the stereo will only work when the van is running ?

many thanks,

J


Yep, CovKid is right. Problem with that is you have to have your keys in the ignition for the stereo to work :shock: For obvious reasons I've given this some serious thought and feel that the cut out switch on the live wire is the better option. At least then when the stereo is working, the keys can be safely in your pocket :wink:
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