Club 80-90 Forums

Battery drain can be enormous on some of them. Put it this way, even with the amplifier supply only live when ignition is on, I sat outside a mates for around 3/4 of an hour with volume very low but lights on stereo on and battery was flat as hell when I came to start. Now only use mine when engine is running - period. Heaven only knows what components they use in some of these stereos but some are sure power-hungry. Mine is an imported DVD mp3 player. Can only presume motor for the DVD drive is on a scale similar to a startup generator at a nuclear power station.

I don't have a leisure battery but I do have a secondary battery under passenger seat thats on permanent solar trickle charge - just in case. Been caught just too many times....

cheers guys, I will check the wiring and manual tonight. Hopefully there is an easy resolve.

Take care,

J

CovKid wrote:Battery drain can be enormous on some of them. Put it this way, even with the amplifier supply only live when ignition is on, I sat outside a mates for around 3/4 of an hour with volume very low but lights on stereo on and battery was flat as hell when I came to start. Now only use mine when engine is running - period. Heaven only knows what components they use in some of these stereos but some are sure power-hungry. Mine is an imported DVD mp3 player. Can only presume motor for the DVD drive is on a scale similar to a startup generator at a nuclear power station.

I don't have a leisure battery but I do have a secondary battery under passenger seat thats on permanent solar trickle charge - just in case. Been caught just too many times....

When I had the live wire on my stereo connected to the ignition, it took about a week & half to drain the battery. Obviously that was when the stereo was not in use. 'Tis a cheapo one from Aldi, so buyer beware I'd be inclined to buy from a reputable dealer next time. At least they may be able to answer the questions regarding battery drain. Not had a problem since I fitted a cut out rocker switch on the live.

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 can't believe (or can I?) that a designer can come up with such a dumb set up as that. Assuming you have connected it up correctly: Either you have a duff liesure battery which you haven't or a duff stereo. In my very crude calculation the radio would need to be drawing something in the region of one amp in order to flatten your liesure battery in what amounts to 48 hours. A pretty mean amp is capable of that in terms of quiescent current but should not be powered up when the stereo is not switched on. My now somewhat dated Goodmans needs a constant voltage supply so as to hold its memory and the liesure battery holds its charge for months over winter. Maybe you need to take it back and get one that works. But before you do that re-check your wiring and then the current with a multimeter. You can do this by removing the battery lead and connecting your multimeter between the terminal and removed lead. I am guessing it should be in the very low miliamps range. Of course anything else in the circuit which relies on the battery like for instance a clock will need contribute to this and will of course need resetting afterwards. This is not the first time I have heared of this problem.
Cheers
Ken

just got back and checked the wiring in the ISO block compared to what the stereo requires in the manual and the wires by colour are exact. Waiting for an email back from caraudiodirect.com to see what it could be. Fun fun Fun

I have the same problem, i have to discontect a bettery terminal every time i get out the van. Its the only way for it to not go flat.

Opps i just forgot to do that, better go disconect it..

dirtyroger wrote:I have the same problem, i have to discontect a bettery terminal every time i get out the van. Its the only way for it to not go flat.

Opps i just forgot to do that, better go disconect it..

Read my earlier comments regarding fitting a cut out rocker switch to the live wire (red) and fixing it somewhere on the dashboard. Gotta be easier than disconnecting the battery terminal all the godamn time

Lo dude, where did you get the 90 deg ISO accessory from please? Had a quick look round on da internet but no luck, plenty of 90 deg aerial connectors.

kevtherev wrote: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.

I must admit I am a little confused why the stereo drains if all the wiring is current, as per the manual. I would kinda understand it if the yellow and red were mixed up.

the only diffence between old and new stereo is one has a cassette and the other a cd, wierd.

Dubl. do you have a multimeter? If you want a definitive answer then you need to measure the current consumed by the stereo in the 'off' state.

Once you have a reading you can then establish whether it is the stereo that is the problem or the leisure battery not holding the charge. When did you last fully charge the LB? What do the instructions say about switching off?

Read my earlier comments regarding fitting a cut out rocker switch to the live wire (red) and fixing it somewhere on the dashboard. Gotta be easier than disconnecting the battery terminal all the godamn time

Yeah i had thought of that but i'm gonna wait until i fit my leisure battery.

thanks

dirtyroger wrote:

Read my earlier comments regarding fitting a cut out rocker switch to the live wire (red) and fixing it somewhere on the dashboard. Gotta be easier than disconnecting the battery terminal all the godamn time

Yeah i had thought of that but i'm gonna wait until i fit my leisure battery.
thanks

As I understand it the manual requires you to feed the permanent feed direct to the battery (and this is where the trouble starts) and the switched feed to the auxiliary feed from the ignition switch asuming you have one. Unless you do this you lose your settings evey time you switch the stereo off. Given that you accept that losing your settings is inevitable then why not just connect both feeds to your auxiliary ignition switch connection. This way you disconnect he whole caboosh when you switch off the ignition but can have music when driving or stationary with the engine off. If you do not have an auxiliary connection at your ignition switch and go for the independant switch at you dash then you may like to consider connecting up an LED (or even a flashing LED) from Maplins in the somewhat vain hope that you will notice it if you abandon ship leaving the switch in the wrong position. But like the man says do check your current drain and liesure battrey condition first. Did I understand you right?
Cheers
Ken

Instead of an LED, how about one of those buzzers for when you leave your lights on

I think my stereo is draining the battery - over a couple of fews in the winter. It was recommended that I fit an isolator switch so that the main battery is completely disconnected to the van. Gives you extra security as well if you hide it. Haven't done this yet though - anybody else done it

Some numpty who owned our van cut out the heater matrix cover to fit the stereo I wouldn't recommend it! Currently it's blocked again with masking tape. I fitted a new stereo and carefully laid the wires (looking through the ash tray) and it fitted without needing to resort to cutting anything or using a spacer!

Got to take the heater matrix out now as there is something banging around when the fan is on I suppose I could turn the van upside down and give it a shake

DivingDaisee wrote:Instead of an LED, how about one of those buzzers for when you leave your lights on

I think my stereo is draining the battery - over a couple of fews in the winter. It was recommended that I fit an isolator switch so that the main battery is completely disconnected to the van. Gives you extra security as well if you hide it. Haven't done this yet though - anybody else done it

H
First: How long is "few"
Second: Yes I use a hidden isolator in my negative battery lead with a siren connected between the terminals. It gives a reassuring blip when I open the door (Door light switch) and howls away if you switch anything on including the ignition. I also have an independent PIR to another siren which sees anything bigger than an insect.
Regards
Ken

Ken, delete your last post and PM to DrivingDaisy.....you don't know who reads these forums and you just told em what to do/look for!