Silly question, can satellite radio drain batteries?
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From: Amarillo, TX
Silly question, can satellite radio drain batteries?
I have been having trouble with by batteries going dead if it is not driven more than once a week. The only thing I found that stays on is the satellite radio. Is there anyway it could be killing my batteries? Or is this a shot in the dark?
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From: Brandon,MS
Yeah it could be that since it is staying on all the time and I'm sure it could be a few other things as well . The guys will certainly give you some advice on here as what else to check. One question though ? what is the satellite radio wired to ? and by that I mean is it on a constant hot wire ? May need to find a different power source.. Just my 0.02 worth though
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From: Amarillo, TX
Yeah it could be that since it is staying on all the time and I'm sure it could be a few other things as well . The guys will certainly give you some advice on here as what else to check. One question though ? what is the satellite radio wired to ? and by that I mean is it on a constant hot wire ? May need to find a different power source.. Just my 0.02 worth though
Well its plugged in to the cigarette light. So yea its always on.
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From: Rochdale MA
I have satellite radio and it is plugged into the lighter. I have forgotten to shut off the radio itself overnight with no problems. I'm wondering if you have a dead or going dead cell in one of your batteries.
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From: Rochdale MA
I don't know if they are all the same but if I unplug mine before turning it off I lose the presets in it. Well at least the last time that I did that to it.
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From: Brandon,MS
My thoughts as well chase..... something that keeps it from being on all the time...maybe a battery issue as well like Jim said...
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Sounds like a battery thing to me too.I know i had his same problem with optima batteries! For some reason they dont like a slow drain.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Northern Colorado
I have a buddy with an 05 6-leaker (poor soul) that ended up ruining his batteries with a satellite radio. He did leave it parked a lot but the continual drain down and re-charge lead to the batteries failing in less than two years.
I had a hard time accepting this at first but from what I have heard since, it seems to be a common problem.
I had a hard time accepting this at first but from what I have heard since, it seems to be a common problem.
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From: Newport, WA
Jim- I have the Starmate 4 (I think that's the one???) and I can move it from rig to rig no problem. Its also been wired on a switched 12v since I got it with no problems at all. There must be an internal battery that keeps the memory from crapping out on it. In my OBS I had the unit that was connected directly to, and run through, the CD player and it never had problems either.
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From: Rochdale MA
Jim- I have the Starmate 4 (I think that's the one???) and I can move it from rig to rig no problem. Its also been wired on a switched 12v since I got it with no problems at all. There must be an internal battery that keeps the memory from crapping out on it. In my OBS I had the unit that was connected directly to, and run through, the CD player and it never had problems either.
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From: Newport, WA
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From: Kamloops, BC
My buddy has killed his batteries with leaving the sat radio on as well.... they will drain power. Especially if you're leaving it for a few days ! Unplug it and let it sit and see if you have the same problem !!!