Impala 2006

[bvankl]

I will try to make this short:

I have a 2006 Chevy Impala w/ standard equipment

Equipment directly from battery:
- Siren w/remote that controls less than a dozen LED lights ( I know it sounds like alot, have an express way in district)
- Dual band amateur
- GPS w/APRS (not usually turned on)
- Power cable for 396

Equipment from power outlet (both unplugged when not using):
- Control head for 396
- Amplified speaker

All of this equipment is turned off and vehicle sits for 24 hours, the battery is dead. When I have put battery on meter, does not show a high drain (well under 1 amp). I have taken the car to the dealer and they have changed out the battery. They give the expected response that they do not know how accessory electronics are installed.

I was going to find a large (heavy duty) battery to put into the car, but will that fix my problem? I have the car on the charger now, went to go get gas and it is dead, parked in a unheated garage (so temp is probably 30ish) so I would not expect due to extreme cold.

Any suggestions? I posted something with the same problems last year, I took a flashlight charger out of the mix and it seemed to do the job.

I went to a car last year from always driving trucks, those batteries never died. I guess we have to give alittle because of gas prices.

Everyone have a good new year! Thanks for any input.

Bob

 

[stiffnecked]

Make sure your siren controller isn't hot all the time. Just from reading your blurb about what's on board that's where I would start looking.

 

[bvankl]

The controller has a on/off switch on the side. That was turned off on this current occasion. Usually, the backlight from the controller will catch my eye at night if it is left on. You are absolutly right, I have left this on in the past. I tried to find a hot/cold fuse to connect it to but all fuses are hot all the time in the cab.

Make sure your siren controller isn't hot all the time. Just from reading your blurb about what's on board that's where I would start looking.

 

[SCPD]

You may want to wire the hot leads through relays or install a battery cutoff switch between the after market equipment and the battery. I usually run one main power wire 4ga to a distribution block in the cab or trunk and run everything from it. They sell high amp cutoff switches at RV stores and such. Just a thought.

 

[bvankl]

That will be my next purchase. If the power is cut on anything afternarket and it still happends, that will send me in another direction. I will order one of those up this week. Thanks. I think that was a suggestion before, I forgot about that and did not give it a second thought.

 

[hydrolocked]

i would have your alternator tested... it is possible it isn't charging your battery completely when it IS running.

 

[bvankl]

Ok,

I wired in a breaker to the whole system. I picked up a relay to power everything on with the ignition switch. Does anyone kow if Chevy has a good spot to wire in a relay that is key hot? I prefer not to splice in to the ignition wire. I have done a few searches on here and the internet and have not come up with what I am looking for. Thanks

Bob

 

[ScanDaBands]

I usually run one main power wire 4ga to a distribution block in the cab or trunk and run everything from it.

That's the way we do a full install - never had anything drain a battery like that , the altenator suggestion is a good one also...

 

[bvankl]

Thanks for all of your input

That is how I have it setup now. I put the 4 ga to the trunk and have everything coming off of the central power (except for the control head and speaker, which will change with this adjustment). Once I get this set up, I will get the alternator tested and see if it has enought output.

Do you see any reason why this should not be able to handle the current draw?

Where do you hook in the, assuming that you use, a relay system? Or, how do you put everything to power up with the ignition?

I appreciate all of the help on this. This is why I like this site so much.

That's the way we do a full install - never had anything drain a battery like that , the altenator suggestion is a good one also...

 

[CVPI4Ever]

Make sure your siren controller isn't hot all the time. Just from reading your blurb about what's on board that's where I would start looking.

Why? I have wired quite a few cruisers "hot all the time" and NEVER a problem.

 

[EMSJohn]

I've never used one of these, but something like this might be what you need-
http://www.streichers.com/ProductDe...cle Equipment&Category=FLASH_UNIT&Prod=BLI-PS

 

[rabidjade]

Why? I have wired quite a few cruisers "hot all the time" and NEVER a problem.

Constant draw on the battery=dead battery over time. Maybe you wired them to the ignition source or the cars don't sit long enough to drain.

 

[bvankl]

This would help quite a bit. I will do the rewire job and see if that fixes the problem, if not I will order one of these up. Thanks for that site.

I've never used one of these, but something like this might be what you need-
http://www.streichers.com/ProductDe...cle Equipment&Category=FLASH_UNIT&Prod=BLI-PS

 

[mcema699]

2001 Civilian pkg Impala purchased used did that to me if it sat for 3-4 days w/o driving. I finally replaced the battery and all has been fine since. It sat that much for 4 mo while unemployed then drove every day after. Battery died after 3 mo. of daily drive and in Winter. Replaced with Yellow Top Optima 3 yrs ago this Christmas. I recall something on Internet about OEM alarm system draining the battery esp if on last legs or when car sat.

I took the power off the tap on the breaker/fuse blocks on the fender on the passenger side of the engine compartment. I'm not sure if you have Civ or Pol pkg and these points may be located differently on the 2006 than on my 2001.

 

[bvankl]

Just to thank everyone and to give an update, The vehicle has been rewired with a breaker and a relay which makes all accessories key hot. Since this was complete (about a week ago) there has been no unexpected bad mornings. Now the only bad mornings are the expected work day ones. Thanks for all the help. I even went and made a console for the car. Maybe we will get some pictures up of that.