Radio/Battery/Starting (non) SOLVED-I hope

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
My radio (when off) is using .62 amps of power. This is draining the battery so that there is only sufficient power for 2/3 turns first thing on a cold morning, which is not enough to fire up.
Charged battery =12.8v. Battery charge in morning, with radio connected 12.5/6v. With radio disconnected 12.7v.
So my solution is- unless someone can suggest a better idea- to add a fascia mounted switch, connected to the radio power supply, and use that to switch the radio power off/on as required.
Obviously I will have no station memory stored but that is not a problem.
I can rewire the radio to the leisure battery but this will only drain that.
Any other ideas????
Don

[zed]

Are you sure it is the radio draining the battery ? sounds more like a short circuit or a dying battery. Radios use next to nothing. Look from the radio back along the wiring for a dodgy connection,

[kentishvanman]

Hi

Are you sure it is the radio draining the battery ? sounds more like a short circuit or a dying battery

Battery =Bosch 12 months old has been checked out= ok
I thought it was a big drain for a radio but disconnect the radio and no problem. Wiring checked out ok
Don

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
Update/revised thinking.
Charged battery last night. Disconnected radio.
This morning battery 12.62v. 2/3 turns (not very vigorous) non start, flat battery symptoms. Battery measures 12.5v. after turnovers. Obviously not the radio as I thought.
Charge battery for only 5 mins. Result= good turnover and started. Engine will then fire up as many time as required during the day.
Leave it overnight-back to square one.
Aint it a nuisance!!!!!!
Don

[billybigspud]

could be the cold weather. charge it, leave it in the house overnight and then put it back in in the morning and try it? the battery gods will be along later to tell to set you straight.

[paulo999]

Hi,
My radio (when off) is using .62 amps of power. This is draining the battery so that there is only sufficient power for 2/3 turns first thing on a cold morning, which is not enough to fire up.
Charged battery =12.8v. Battery charge in morning, with radio connected 12.5/6v. With radio disconnected 12.7v.
So my solution is- unless someone can suggest a better idea- to add a fascia mounted switch, connected to the radio power supply, and use that to switch the radio power off/on as required.
Obviously I will have no station memory stored but that is not a problem.
I can rewire the radio to the leisure battery but this will only drain that.
Any other ideas????
Don

When you say the radio is using 0.62a - that sounds like you've measured it.

If so, you could still have a problem if/when you replace the battery.

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
Still working on the problem.
What intrigues me is that after 2/3 turn overs there are all the symptoms of a completely flat battery. Measures 12.3ish, no lights/horn etc but 5 mins on the charger voltage measure 13.6 and no probs fireing up.I have always found that when a battery is that flat it takes more than 5 mins to get things going.
We live and learn.

Don

[nevill3]

Sounds like a dodgy earth problem....have you checked the gearbox earth strap thingy....over the years almost all of my weird electrical gremlins have been down to poor earth connections or dodgy connectors.

[New Kentish Campers]

My van used to give similar problems, even with a new battery. I removed the battery earth strap and cleaned the base where it goes to the bodywork, and it's been ok since. Take a shufty at this link, which might help you: https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 2#p7687418

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
Still searching (when I have time) for the answer.
99% sure it's not an earth problem. Those that I have cleaned up were clean anyway.
Starter battery. 12month old Bosch, was fully charged on Sun. This eve it was 12.5v and it's not even connected????
Have returned it to the dealer (few weeks ago) and they reckon it's fine.
Had a few days away last week and every morning I needed to charge the battery before we could start.
On our return discovered the fuse between the relay and leisure battery had melted but not blown. The spade connector, to the relay, that links up the fridge when its on 12v also showed signs of burning.
Yet to fathom out if this is all connected.
All suggestions welcomed.
Don

[zed]

Must be contageous. Now having a similar problem of the main battery draining whilst standing. I am suspecting the cheapo split charge system. I will post if I find anything this weekend.

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
Hopefully all sorted.
The battery which I suspected was at fault, but which the VW/Bosch garage tested and said was ok, was duff.
Now have new Varta one from www.batterymegastore.co.uk £74. At least all the earth contacts got cleaned and almost everything else checked during my searching.
I don't know if any of the following 'finds' were connected with the problem but discovered that-------------
... the fuse between the relay and leisure battery had almost melted but not blown. Incidently this relay is a 70amp and not 30amp as shown on the wiring diagram. An auto electrician swapped it years ago when the original 'blew' cos he said 30amp was not big enough especially if the leisure battery was empty. Relay replaced
... the relay that controls the 12v supply to the fridge showed some burning signs. Relay replaced.
... one of the earth wires from the back of the radio had rubbed through so may have been shorting.
... most of the blade fuses were quite tarnished/dirty. Now all cleaned.
Hope this info is of help to someone.
Don

[CovKid]

Cold weather always shows up weaknesses in electrical systems. For the record, I use the leisure battery to power the radio.

I too have had probs but changing the alternator brush/diode pack sorted that. Nothing unusuakl to be hit with charging/starting probs this time of year - its when they show up.

[Cruz]

Cold weather always shows up weaknesses in electrical systems. For the record, I use the leisure battery to power the radio.

.

Same here Ralph.

How long has the new battery been on? Has it had time to get drained yet?