Batboard

Hello all,

I have a 2002 TrailBlazer with a Syntor X9000 in it, as well as a scanner. Recently, I have had a series of dead battery occurences (bad at the 3AM Fire Calls), and was wondering if anyone may know if the radio or scanner may be to blame. The radio is currently wired to the ignition so that it is only in RX when the vehicle is not running. I have a scanner that is also on all the time, it's wired hot all the time. These two items are the ONLY things on all the time. I will tell you that I do have a switchbox (the Galls/StreetThunder XL200 programmable one) also wired in, and it keeps dumping its memory. It retains it's memory so long as it still has B+. The switches are not active (hot) until it senses B+ from the ignition circuit, similar to the radio. So, essentially it just sits there until the truck is on. Does anyone have any idea if the radio and the scanner could be draining the battery? For example, I ran a fire call last night on my way home from work, about a 3 minute run with the lightbar and all that jazz on. I parked it around 2330, and went to start it at 1400 today and it was dead. I mean D E A D. Any information would be appreciated!! Thanks!

If the X9k and the scanner are physically on while the truck off, then that is the cause.

The /\/\ draws ~2 amps on RX and the scanner draws ~1 amp, so there is a ~3 amp constant draw on the battery if the truck is off.

Why do you leave the radios on if you aren't in the truck?

Car batteries are designed for short, high current applications like starting the engine....long term draw, even a few amps, will kill a normal car battery after some hours.

Install a Chargeguard unit and set it to 2 hours. The orange/green leads will get powered from the CG unit.

2 amps @ 2 hrs. won't hurt a thing.

I would put an amp meter on the B+ (With engine off and key off )and unplug the accessories until you find your biggest drop. And if the device is working properly put it on a switch or Tie it into the Ignition.