Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Amplifiers » Yikes. Amp killed my new optima battery when left on overnight. Should it? « Previous Next »

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Jameslarson
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Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 68
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 9:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK. I have my palomar 250 connected directly to the battery (A brand new optima red top (800-900cca)). I left the amp on overnight. Went to start the vehicle this morning, and battery was dead. This seemed kind of odd though. The amp was on overnight, yes, but it was not like it was transmitting. All that was on were a couple LED's and whatever else the amp draws when not transmitting. Is my new optima battery defective? Seems kind of odd that it could die so easily.
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1861
Intermediate Member
Username: 1861

Post Number: 481
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

something else is wrong , i have a kl in wifes car that hasn,t been turned off in a year now -- never a problem . if it was the amp , it somehow stayred keyed
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 790
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How new is the battery, Did it have a full charge? Red tops are supposed to be good for extended drain, a few LED's should not do it. I have the cheapest Delphi POJ battery in my honda, If I leave my radar detector on for 3 days it will not start, but it tries. Methinks that the red-top should handle the drain of a couple LED's. You could always measure the current draw of the amp though.

Chad
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Jameslarson
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Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 70
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The battery is brand new (3 days old). Maybe it was the starter ot solenoid not taking the 12 volts and upping the voltage correctly. because odd thing was that I jumped it from another car, had the jumpers on for like 20 minutes, and the vehicle did not start up (very very slow RPM turnover, but no start). Then I just left the key turned and all of a sudden the low RPM turned into the car starting. Weird
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1204
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hmmm, I have left my amp on too and no trouble.Even left headlights on for 2 hours before no troubles. Hope nothing wrong with amp. Take the optima back and have it checked. Also check and make sure your akternator did'nt go bad. How many amp is your alternator? What make model car you have? I had a bad alternator once that would drain a bad real fast if not running. If you have a Ford check your voltage regulator on the firewall.
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Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote

Post Number: 734
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 11:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sounds like a possible bad connection at your battery terminals. Make sure everything is tight and the connections are clean.
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2737
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

bad connections cause the click-click-click sound from a well charged battery. slow cranking is from an undercharged battery due to....
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1216
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 11:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When you jump start another vehicle its best to clamp the ground cable to the engine block of the dead car and positive to the batery. Clamp both to the battery of the jumper car. It should only have took 3 minutes tops to get your battery charged enough to start your car and remove cables with the quickness. 20 minutes is hard on an alternator trying to charge 2 batterys. Possible that the cables clamps did not have a good bite on the battery. Also with fuel injection its bad when you can't get a car started jumping it cause with each time you turn the key you get a shot of fuel into the engine causing flood. Then you have to hold the pedal to the floor to get it started and that takes time. The click you hear is the solonoid activating the starter but not enough power to turn the motor over so I think your starting system is good. Check the alternator and if its a Ford check the alternator and the voltage regulator. If a bad volt regulater it will either be to high of volts or to low. I had a regulater go out in my Grand Margius and the voltage was so high my battery bubbled over. Use a volt meter and see if you get close to 14 volts while the car is running. Another old trick is While the car is running carefully remove the red battery cable. If the car is still running then you know the alternater not the battery is still working the accesories and coil. Then again if its a vehicle of new technology beware and take it to a qaulified technician. I would hate to see something bad happen to one of these types of cars I would'nt touch with a 10 foot pole that was my fault. Hope you find the solution soon. 73
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Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla

Post Number: 544
Registered: 4-2005


Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How old is the car? How old are the battery cables? How old are the jumper cables? Any of the above seem warm when your trying to start it? Think corrosion and resistance here...seen some winners over here!
IF you put the + to the battery and the - to chassis ground...like an alternator bracket perhaps you had a bad ground situation. When in doubt I put on the headlights in the dead vehicle and I want to see them brighten significantly after hooking up the jumpers then shut them off. This is the case of course when the vehicle in question has no volt meter to read.
The battery is brand new. Is this because the old one wouldn't hold a charge anymore? Hmmmm..perhaps the alt. said goodbye? Stopped or intermittant charging system?
Could you have drained the battery talking on the radio with the engine off? ...with the kicker ON?:-) ...been there done that. AMAZING how fast you can turn one into a stone!

Hank...just some things to think about. :-)
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Jameslarson
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Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 80
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 6:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, I went back and had them swap it out for another red top. No problem so far. I do think it is time for an upgrade though. 105 amp is stock for an alternator for this vehicle. Do you know anyone in Long Island that can get their hands on say a 150 or 200 amp alternator (Of course in the same physical dimensions as the stock alternator) and do the install? Thanks.
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 796
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Do you have a local shop that does re-winds?
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Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla

Post Number: 547
Registered: 4-2005


Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 1:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

James..L&L electronics. Starter/Alternator specialists in Bohemia off Ocean ave. Gonna run you a few beans though. Look 'em up. I asked about an upgrade for my old Jeep Chero. I believe he said he could get me 150A on that 318. Was going to run me around $250/300.
Your alt is fine for that Pal250. Probably never draw any more than 20amp on sideband..tops.
IF you were to hook up say a 667 :-) then you'd be pushing it.

Hank

Good luck!
Hank
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Jameslarson
Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 82
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

well, just got the 667 installed finally. You going to be on tonight?

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