Battery Saver/Protector

[kf4mnc]

I used to run a mobile in my vehicle and am looking to install another in my new truck. In the past I have hard wired the radios to the battery and have always had to make sure to turn of the radio so I didn't run down my battery, or set an auto power off feature.

I have recently gotten in to APRS and would like set up cross band repeat when in the back country and possible a digipeter when at events and am concerned about wearing down my battery.

What does everyone do to maintain their auto battery?

I was thinking along the lines of what police and other emergency personal have to maintain their large electronic arrays and came across the following:

PriorityStart - Stop Dead Batteries on Cars & Boats [Priority Start! Battery Protector]

Has anyone tried this item, or anything similar?

Chris,
KF4MNC

 

[74IN]

I haven't used one yet, but Coleman makes solar panel chargers for auto use.

 

[kf4mnc]

I looked at those but most provided less than a watt of power to the battery at any given time during full sun exposure. So, I was thinking the better thing to do would be to have a device in place that would automatically cut power to any device should my voltage drop below a certain level.

 

[pro151]

Of course I suppose you lose the presets on your radio and on some vehicles, your computer will have to relearn the engine settings as you drive.

 

[mackmobile43]

I've left my radios on for week at a time and don't have an issue, a good battery is all you need, well you could always remember to turn the radio off.

 

[dudmuck]

Consider a deep cycle battery.
They are used on wheelchairs and forklifts.
They cannot supply massive currents for starting a car, but they last longer under a continuous load.
Run your radio from a deep cycle battery, and it should last longer. But not connected to your vehicle electrical system. radio only. But certainly charge that battery when the car is running.

 

[desync0]

If you're planning on running it off the battery often, do what dudmuck said, put a deep cycle in a battery box in the trunk, and run 4ga up to a battery isolator under the hood, and as short a 4ga ground as possible from the 2nd battery to a good paint free ground.

The isolator will allow the 2nd battery to charge when the cars running, but disconnects it from the main battery when the vehicle isn't running so you never have to worry about it not starting.

Dual Battery Isolator from PPL for Sale

There some examples.

 

[kd0fx]

Automatic Power Off Switch?

 

[kf4mnc]

Of course I suppose you lose the presets on your radio and on some vehicles, your computer will have to relearn the engine settings as you drive.

I am curious about this, as I am certain that doesn't happen in emergency vehicles that use some sort of voltage cut off device, then again they might have multiple batteries.

I've left my radios on for week at a time and don't have an issue, a good battery is all you need, well you could always remember to turn the radio off.

In just a receive state with driving in between I don't image there would be a problem, but I am considering setting up a cross-band digipeater when in the back country possibly for days. I don't want to get back to my truck and have a dead battery.

Consider a deep cycle battery.
They are used on wheelchairs and forklifts.
They cannot supply massive currents for starting a car, but they last longer under a continuous load.
Run your radio from a deep cycle battery, and it should last longer. But not connected to your vehicle electrical system. radio only. But certainly charge that battery when the car is running.

This is a good option, although I don't really have a location for a second battery.

If you're planning on running it off the battery often, do what dudmuck said, put a deep cycle in a battery box in the trunk, and run 4ga up to a battery isolator under the hood, and as short a 4ga ground as possible from the 2nd battery to a good paint free ground.

The isolator will allow the 2nd battery to charge when the cars running, but disconnects it from the main battery when the vehicle isn't running so you never have to worry about it not starting.

Dual Battery Isolator from PPL for Sale

There some examples.

See above comment.

Automatic Power Off Switch?

This is interesting, however, I wonder how it interacts when power is cut, would you lose all of your presets?

 

[kd0fx]

This is interesting, however, I wonder how it interacts when power is cut, would you lose all of your presets?

Depends if the memory in the radio is volatile or not. I'm betting it is not. After all, you don't lose your presets in your HT when you change batteries; I'm willing to bet the mobiles are made the same way. There's an easy way to find out

 

[kf4mnc]

Depends if the memory in the radio is volatile or not. I'm betting it is not. After all, you don't lose your presets in your HT when you change batteries; I'm willing to bet the mobiles are made the same way. There's an easy way to find out

That is true, but I'd like to get some confirmation before spending the cash.

 

[kd0fx]

That is true, but I'd like to get some confirmation before spending the cash.

Just go out and unhook your mobile from the battery. Then you'll know if the memory stays. Sure you take a chance that you'll have to reprogram, but at least you'll know for sure. the future belongs to the daring!

 

[Blue Jay]

I would think long and hard about the Battery Saver/Protector. It would shut down the radio when the voltage got low but would you still have enough to start the truck. Some of the newer ones don't like to start with a low battery. Just food for thought.