ELECTRONICS - CURRENT DRAIN?

[rough_shag]

Just wondering if my gps and sounder will drain current from the battery if left plugged in on the boat and will a solar trickle charger compensate adequately for any loss?.Any help appreciated.Cheers!.Jace.

[finga64]

If the electronics are turned off....absolutely stuff all current drain.
If the solar panel can handle the natural drain of the battery then you'll have no problems...I think ;)

[MulletMan]

Do you mean when the boat is on the water or stored in the garage?

[ShaneJ]

If your GPS and sounder have a push/touch button they will be constantly drawing current. The current draw wont be a lot, but enough to flatten your battery over a month or two.
A reasonable solar panel will easily compensate for the drain, but you are best off isolating your battery with a switch when the boat isn't being used.

[rough_shag]

I was more concerned about the dry storage/parking of the boat as I think she gets a good charging when being used.Anyway thanks for the advice.
Cheers! Jace.

[finga64]

easy solution...unplug them :)

[rough_shag]

Yeah Finga well I am wanting to leave them on the boat between trips as I have come close to dropping the things a few times and even leaving 'em behind so at $999 a pop I figured it was best to leave 'em on the dash.Unplugging them isn't easy due to placement etc but then even if I did wouldn't the plugs gunk up with crap?.The rubber between the pins on the sounder plug has perished also and seems to crumble a bit everytime I unplug so leaving the units plugged in seemed to be logical.And before you tell me about 'easy solution' number two-buying a new transponder cable and pulling half the wiring apart to install it, my answer is BUGGER THAT!! as the units both work very well and if I don't keep yanking the plugs out each trip will probably give a few more yrs service.
So in the end your common logic,simplistic, 'easy solution' isn't any help at all-but I'm sure you are a very clever and super practical bloke tho.Jace. ;D

[ShaneJ]

As I said earlier, fit a kill swtich near the battery.

[akman1]

Only way to go ShaneJ unless you want to keep your radio stns/clock stored but I'd rather have a good battery charge than worry about stuff like that!!

[rough_shag]

Kill switch it is then boys.I was just unsure whether the electronics would really drain that much current in the off position but have since checked my battery and found it is reading as only 50% on my battery tester.The battery tested 2 weeks ago showed 100% and the only difference is that I have left the gps and sounder plugged in, so I guess they really do suck a bit of juice even if switched off eh.Cheers!Jace.

[steveg1100]

A battery isolation switch is definately the way to go. You can pick up a 4 position one that allows you to have two batteries running at whitworths for $24.95 at the moment. It is good value.

steve g

[marco]

lowrance recommend fitting a isolation switch because when stored and drawing current the electrical wires corrode faster .

[cyclone]

Another way run power via fused switch panel on the dash, flick of a switch at the dash no power, no power drain. Andrew.

[cyclone]

Sorry one other thing constant power supply to the units will cause premature corrosion in leads more so if any salt present.

[rough_shag]

Good info boys thanks very much battery isolation switch fitted.Jace.

[fatandhappy]

Just as an aside and going back to the original question, I have been using a couple of solar trickle chargers that I bought from Silly Solleys last year for about $25 a pop. they just plug into the cigarette lighter jack. I have found them to be excellent, both in the Landcruiser and on the boat when they are not in use.

Cheers
Fatenhappy