battery draining

[Neeranam]

My on off switch on my radio has broken. Could this drain my battery when the car is not running?

Also what is the thai word for regulator?

And can my dry no maintenance battery be ok after 5 years?

[transam]

If your radio is not controlled by the ignition and your battery is on the way out it will drain the battery.

Batteries vary in longevity, many factors. My lead acid batteries lasted exactly 2 years with the daily usage they dealt with. My dry cell is now near 3 years and still shows 12.7v, though I have not tested for amp loading.

[Lancashirelad]

If the radio is correctly wired it will be supplied only wheh the ignition switch is in the auxillary or run positions, so no, it should not be a problem.

[ClutchClark]

5 years on a dry cell is that point where it could go either way.

[VocalNeal]

I have a friend who had the same problem. Answer is yes if radio is aftermarket and not wired to the ignition switch circuit. Does it go "off" when you switch off the engine?

[Jerry Cornelius]

The question ' is the radio on when the ignition system is off and the key is removed' should be asked of the OP. If it is then there will be a power drain on the battery. If the answer is no then the answer is no also.That's the simple answer.

If the radio is 'on' with the ignition turned off and the key removed the answer depends on how old is the car and what (if anything) has been done to the electrical system. In any case if the radio is 'on' when it shouldn't will be a drain on the battery

With some modern vehicles auxillaries like a radio can be turned on (at the device) without any key being connected to any part of the electrical system. On these vehicles you can turn your radio on at the device and turn it off by switching the ignition switch to the accessory position and then return it to the off position. Or you can also turn it off again at the device. If you have switching issues with this kind of vehicle a visit to your main dealer is your best option.

If it's an older vehicle your main dealer may still be your best option. But especially in the case of aftermarket fitments a good auto electrician is probably better.

If the problem is with an aftermarket fitment it's really more of a learning experience. The lesson being 'don't let idiots mess with your ride'.

Jerry

[BSJ]

"Also what is the thai word for regulator? kluang klog klung may help.....or print a picture and take that.

And can my dry no maintenance battery be ok after 5 years? It's not really dry like a torch battery. There will be gell inside and that type of battery will eventually fail as all batteries do....but it will never leak! 5 years is good."

[WarpSpeed]

If the radio is correctly wired it will be supplied only wheh the ignition switch is in the auxillary or run positions, so no, it should not be a problem.

Except that if it;s an aftermarket radio or an upgrade and installed in Thailand it's more likely not to be properly wired to shut off with the key..

Edit: Ok, so I see now Neal beat me to it...

Edited July 14, 2014 by WarpSpeed

[ClutchClark]

Isn't the surest way to identify a draw down situation from the radio to simply remove the fuse and see if your battery still drains?