Radio with engine off

[clk320x]

How long do you actually have to listen to the radio for before you kill your battery?

 

[Petrol Pete]

The radio switches itself off after a time, not sure how long but mine goes off (30 mins ?) if I don't have the ignition on . 2006 W203 C class.

 

[GLK]

Same here - I seem to remember 20 minutes been mentioned somewhere ...
Abs, you daredevil - you can always try, and report back mate

 

[clk320x]

Same here - I seem to remember 20 minutes been mentioned somewhere ...
Abs, you daredevil - you can always try, and report back mate

Haha even with aftermarket unit?
I'll give it a shot... no doubt I'll need the RAC to come out and give me a jump lol

 

[GLK]

My aftermarket HU comes on, when the key is inserted ... I'm not experimenting on this one - seems to be very keen ha-ha

 

[clk320x]

My aftermarket HU comes on, when the key is inserted ... I'm not experimenting on this one - seems to be very keen ha-ha

Yes same with mine. Ive managed to put some sense into myself. lol

 

[markjay]

Mine gives me about 20 minutes before coming up with a message 'switch on the engine'.

 

[clk320x]

Mine gives me about 20 minutes before coming up with a message 'switch on the engine'.

ah right but yours in OEM, I figure my aftermarket thing will just keep going till it kills the bat

 

[KillerHERTZ]

20 mins OEM with 5 min warning before switching off.

 

[MancMike]

Get yourself one of the little lithium ion jump starters. Mine's fantastic. Jumps my petrol 3L V6, her 2.0 diesel, charges phones, has really powerful torch and can charge or power other things too.

Your radio will cut off, but "how long before" is like asking how long is a piece of string. How good is your battery? etc.

 

[PobodY]

I also carry one of those LiIon batteries in my boot. - I bought one of those old lead acid jumper packs a while ago, but this thing has got more power in much less size... plus it loses hardly any charge when you're not using it (unlike my lead acid battery, which seems to have gone flat every time I need it).

 

[Benzowner]

Usually, the radio takes a small current, so how long will depend on size of battery 85amp hour or 110 amp hour will give differing results and also how big the amplifier is. Aftermarket units can have larger output amplifiers than OE units. You must also work out how much power is required to start the car. The radio could be running perfectly, but a turn of the key and everything stops.

 

[clk320x]

I wonder how easy it would be to add an auxiliary battery say in the boot to power the Radio, 12V outlet, and other in car accessories

 

[GLK]

That's my next project - a proper split charger and a small aux battery - plenty of space where Mercedes fitted one on the blue-tech models.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I wonder how easy it would be to add an auxiliary battery say in the boot to power the Radio, 12V outlet, and other in car accessories

Easy for an auto electrician or audio specialist - this is what they do for cars with big aftermarket installations, for show purposes.

 

[markjay]

Just to say that car batteries need to be kept topped-up to maximise their service life.

Deliberatly allowing the battery to go flat then jump-start the car and allow the battery to recharge (deep discharge cycle) is not a good strategy and if done repeatedly it will dramatically reduce the battery service life.

My 2006 car is still on it's original battery (now sold to another forum member), no doubt in great part because it was never ever allowed to go flat and the car was never needed a jump-start.

 

[clk320x]

Just to say that car batteries need to be kept topped-up to maximise their service life.

Deliberatly allowing the battery to go flat then jump-start the car and allow the battery to recharge (deep discharge cycle) is not a good strategy and if done repeatedly it will dramatically reduce the battery service life.

My 2006 car is still on it's original battery (now sold to another forum member), no doubt in great part because it was never ever allowed to go flat and the car was never needed a jump-start.

Yeh I defo won't be doing that

 

[clk320x]

Easy for an auto electrician or audio specialist - this is what they do for cars with big aftermarket installations, for show purposes.

Ah cool. May be something I look into... although depending on cost... however if you calculate the cost may be cheaper to just run the engine for the 5-10 odd minutes your sitting waiting for someone

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ah cool. May be something I look into... although depending on cost... however if you calculate the cost may be cheaper to just run the engine for the 5-10 odd minutes your sitting waiting for someone

Unless you'll do it regularly for long periods, then just leaving your engine running for a while is the better option assuming the engine is up to temperature.

 

[clk320x]

Unless you'll do it regularly for long periods, then just leaving your engine running for a while is the better option assuming the engine is up to temperature.

Exactly mate. Quick q do all 164s have electric tailgate or was it optional extra?
Cheers