Supply power to radio only when car is running?

[jnojr]

Everything I see says to run power directly to the battery. But a radio left on could easily drain the battery.

Is there some kind of module that would get power when the car is running and trip a relay or something to close a circuit on that direct connection? And when the engine is stopped, the relay opens and cuts power off?

 

[vagrant]

Many amateur radios have a timer feature where they will power down after a set time. Alternatively, there are devices that connect in between the power source and radio. Lind makes a product like that.

https://lindelectronics.com/product-category/shutdown-timers/

 

[prcguy]

Many amateur radios have a timer feature where they will power down after a set time. Alternatively, there are devices that connect in between the power source and radio. Lind makes a product like that.

https://lindelectronics.com/product-category/shutdown-timers/

This is what is use in my truck, big fused wire direct from the battery to the Lind box then switched power to the radios. I've got the timers off eBay in the $20-$30 range.

 

[KK4JUG]

I can program my Yaesu's "automatic power off" feature which they refer to as APO. It give me some musical tones right before it shuts down. It'll shut down even if the car's running if I haven't done anything on the radio.

 

[mmckenna]

+1 on the Lind timer. Keep your eyes on e-Bay. I bought 3 of them, brand new in box, for about $15 each many years ago.

I use the 'retained accessory power' feed on the vehicles to trigger the timer. Main power directly off the battery.

Or, if you are using commercial gear, most of them either have an ignition switched circuit to trigger, or they have ignition switched circuit -and- a timer built in.

 

[alcahuete]

Or you can just turn your radio off when you leave your car. I have been doing it for 30 years and haven't had the radio drain my battery once.

 

[doc62]

Is this the type of device you are looking for?

Powerwerx DC Automatic Power Switch/Timer

Never turn on or off your radio(s) again! The APS-12 is basically a voltage controlled switch. When the vehicles engine shuts off, the unit senses the drop in voltage and starts the APS-12 timer to automatically shut off after 2 min. to 12 hrs.

powerwerx.com

 

[KK4JUG]

Or you can just turn your radio off when you leave your car. I have been doing it for 30 years and haven't had the radio drain my battery once.

What a novel concept...and so simple.

 

[mmckenna]

Is this the type of device you are looking for?

Powerwerx DC Automatic Power Switch/Timer

Never turn on or off your radio(s) again! The APS-12 is basically a voltage controlled switch. When the vehicles engine shuts off, the unit senses the drop in voltage and starts the APS-12 timer to automatically shut off after 2 min. to 12 hrs.

powerwerx.com

That would do the trick but the price is high:

$19.95:

Lind Shutdown Timer LPT1230-052 Low Profile Shut Down Timer | eBay

NO CABLES INCLUDED.

www.ebay.com

$22.98:

Havis CG-X-PSP CG-X ChargeGuard Select Power Control Circuit Protector Module | eBay

Perfect working condition, tested, no issues.

www.ebay.com

 

[jnojr]

Or you can just turn your radio off when you leave your car. I have been doing it for 30 years and haven't had the radio drain my battery once.

OH MY GOD THAT IS SO HELPFUL!!!!!

WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?!?!?!?!?!

YOU HAVE SAVED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU SHARE SOME DETAILED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PERFORM SUCH AN ADVANCED CONCEPT??? PLEASE LET YOUR WISDOM SHINE!

 

[jhooten]

About as simple and cheap as can be done:

https://www.amazon.com/EPLZON-JD1912-Relay-Truck-Motorcycle/dp/B09LLH7WYK/ref=asc_df_B09LLH7WYK?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80264478782027&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863997641214&psc=1

Run the coil to either an acc or ign switched circuit.

 

[nd5y]

Or you can just turn your radio off when you leave your car. I have been doing it for 30 years and haven't had the radio drain my battery once.

Have you ever measured the current draw when the radio is off? Depending on the radio you could be in for a surprise. Some hand helds will also draw current when powered off.

 

[bharvey2]

Or you can just turn your radio off when you leave your car. I have been doing it for 30 years and haven't had the radio drain my battery once.

That's the tech that I've been employing for years. I did kill the battery in my truck once when I forgot to shut off my radio and didn't drive the truck for a week. Apparently, adequate training is the tough part.

 

[dave3825]

I have always ran stuff to the battery and use relays. All you do is have the relay trigger wire going to a switched (only on when car is on) circuit. This ensures the device is getting all the power it needs.

 

[bharvey2]

Have you ever measured the current draw when the radio is off? Depending on the radio you could be in for a surprise. Some hand helds will also draw current when powered off.

You're right on the mark. "Off" is a relative term in the electronics world these days. My son has a fairly new vehicle (still under warranty) and as he works from home, doesn't drive his car for a few days at a time. He would routinely go to his far to find that it was completely dead. It took several trips to the dealer to sort it our but he told me it ended up being a car phone charger he left plugged into the vehicle.

 

[dave3825]

Gotta love the ole parasitic draw test.

It measures the amount of current drawn from a car's battery when the vehicle is off and can help identify electrical components that are draining power. Like your son, I had a truck that was not a daily driver but dead whenever wanting to use it. Test revealed a bad glove box light switch which at the time let the non-led bulb to be on.

 

[alcahuete]

OH MY GOD THAT IS SO HELPFUL!!!!!

WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?!?!?!?!?!

YOU HAVE SAVED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU SHARE SOME DETAILED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PERFORM SUCH AN ADVANCED CONCEPT??? PLEASE LET YOUR WISDOM SHINE!

Absolutely! One-on-one coaching sessions available any time! Sometimes the most simple solution is simply using common sense. You said a radio left on could easily drain the battery, and you're absolutely right! The clear solution...don't leave the radio on.

Have you ever measured the current draw when the radio is off? Depending on the radio you could be in for a surprise. Some hand helds will also draw current when powered off.

I have a pair of XPR5550s in my car, which are absolutely the worst radios I have ever personally seen for parasitic draw. But unless the car is sitting for weeks, it's just not an issue. I regularly travel anywhere from 7-14+ days for work, and have never come back to the airport with a dead battery.

We have work vehicles stacked with radios and measuring equipment that are sometimes only driven once a month for their monthly maintenance check. No timers or anything crazy. They fire right up. Leave the dog gone interior light on though, and the battery is dead in two days.

 

[k6cpo]

I solved the problem by doing three things:

1. I set a 30 minute APO in the radio itself
2. I usually remove the control head and put it out of sight when I park. (Removing theft temptation)
3. At home, I have a 2A trickle charger connected to the vehicle battery because I sometimes don't drive it for two weeks at a time.

 

[kb1fua]

I guess I've been lucky. Many years ago I had at least four or five radios in my car. Working at a local radio shop I was lucky to have had the pleasure of the many different radios in it. I was pretty anal about shutting the radios off when I was not driving. I once forgot and was gone for a week and came home to a dead battery. I then installed a battery tender, which shut everything off after a time not in use. It was programmable on the time the power was cut off.

Years later, the last few cars the wife and I have had, including the 2016 Jeep Patriot we have now has a similar shut off after a couple hours.
I'm surprised that not all cars have this.
Her 2002 F-150 had it, my 2008 F-350 had it, my 2010 Ford Fusion had it, and my 2012 Chrysler minivan had it...
Anyone else have this in their vehicles?

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I guess I've been lucky. Many years ago I had at least four or five radios in my car. Working at a local radio shop I was lucky to have had the pleasure of the many different radios in it. I was pretty anal about shutting the radios off when I was not driving. I once forgot and was gone for a week and came home to a dead battery. I then installed a battery tender, which shut everything off after a time not in use. It was programmable on the time the power was cut off.

Years later, the last few cars the wife and I have had, including the 2016 Jeep Patriot we have now has a similar shut off after a couple hours.
I'm surprised that not all cars have this.
Her 2002 F-150 had it, my 2008 F-350 had it, my 2010 Ford Fusion had it, and my 2012 Chrysler minivan had it...
Anyone else have this in their vehicles?

My new-to-me 2013 Expedition has a circuit that keeps the music radio operating for about 20 minutes after the key is switched off. However I think if you open the drivers door to step out it will stop playing. There is a lighting relay in the vehicle that behaves in same manner. I think my 2001 has that as well. The accessory computers in the vehicle stay energized for 30-45 minutes allowing about a 4 amp draw until it goes to sleep and reverts to about 45 ma idle draw. One could probably tap one of these accessory circuits, but I would be wary that the vehicle will sense that some operation is incomplete (like parking the rear wiper, ask me how I know) and the battery will drain very quickly.

I am planning to install the LIND controller in my 2013 as the LIND senses the starter motor draining the battery (8-10V) and then activates power on for a period of time which is sustained by then sensing the charging threshold (13-14V) . After the vehicle is turned off and the battery voltage is sensed (~12.5-13V), the timer runs on for as long as programmed. You can also add an ignition sense wire to provide a more positive indication or to override the timeout.