The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Battery Drain and Re-Wiring of Vehicles - How Do You Deal With This?
Would you wire the Radio and Unitrol to the ignition circuit rather that directly to the battery?
Because some vehicles are parked for long periods of time, the battery is going dead because the backlighting for the Unitrol is draining the battery.
There is a move in my department for all current and future utilities and command vehicles to have their after-market electronics wired to the ignition circuit rather than directly to the battery. There is a problem with vehicles being stuck with dead batteries because members forget to turn the radios off.
How have you dealt with this problem? Does re-wiring the vehicles sound like the right answer?
Our Radio Shop currently wires all electronics directly to the battery because the Sheriff wants their patrol cars to be able to run light bars, radios and MDC's while the vehicle is turned off. This works for them because the vehicle is never left off for very long. The only time I can think we might have the same concern is if BC's need to stand at the back of their vehicles for a long duration incident and don't want to keep their vehicle running.
Because some vehicles are parked for long periods of time, the battery is going dead because the backlighting for the Unitrol is draining the battery.
There is a move in my department for all current and future utilities and command vehicles to have their after-market electronics wired to the ignition circuit rather than directly to the battery. There is a problem with vehicles being stuck with dead batteries because members forget to turn the radios off.
How have you dealt with this problem? Does re-wiring the vehicles sound like the right answer?
Our Radio Shop currently wires all electronics directly to the battery because the Sheriff wants their patrol cars to be able to run light bars, radios and MDC's while the vehicle is turned off. This works for them because the vehicle is never left off for very long. The only time I can think we might have the same concern is if BC's need to stand at the back of their vehicles for a long duration incident and don't want to keep their vehicle running.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Oldman on
-
The good times radio and most of the public safety radios have a "hot wire" which is hooked to battery voltage in order to maintain their memory with less than 1 amp draw. The vehicle computer on most newer vehicles handle all the engine and emissions data and unless you disconnect the battery, will retain these settings. At least it hasn't been an issue with the Chiefs Excursion.
-
Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
-
Including a schematic with your comment was very much appreciated. I made contact directly with my county garage folks and shared your thoughts and the graphic. Thank you so much for sharing this caliber of information. Fraternally, Mike Schlags, Fire Captain, Santa Barbara County Fire Department
-
Permalink Reply by Jenny Holderby on
-
My department has had some great success with the Kussmaul Load Management System.
We have them on our engines and are now pricing them for our utility units.
I was all set to reply with this but I had to look up how to spell Kussmaul.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
