Priority Start - battery is still draining to empty
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Vilnius, Lithuania
Priority Start - battery is still draining to empty
I had a problem of battery drain, so I installed Priority Start (device that disconnects the battery, if any voltage drain is detected). However, it does not help and my battery gets empty overnight. Any ideas, why this is happening?
Well, I agree that I should address the main reason, why the battery is draining, but until now I was not able to detect the problem. So let's leave it for the future. Now I just want to understand, why Priority Start unit does not disconnect the battery, as it is supposed to do. When connected, it makes some sound at the beginning, as the levers inside of it are moving, so I suppose that it must be working.
Any ideas are welcome
Well, I agree that I should address the main reason, why the battery is draining, but until now I was not able to detect the problem. So let's leave it for the future. Now I just want to understand, why Priority Start unit does not disconnect the battery, as it is supposed to do. When connected, it makes some sound at the beginning, as the levers inside of it are moving, so I suppose that it must be working.
Any ideas are welcome
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
presume you are talking about 1973 vette in your profile?
I have a 68. The 68 wiper system is notorious for causing battery drains. In fact it was designed to drain the battery if you accidentally leave the wiper freeze switch in the on position, even with car turned off!!
When I got my 68 the battery was dead. I immediately ran out and bought a new battery, oh joy! oh joy! car runs!!... next morning the new battery was dead. My short term solution was to install a battery cutoff switch. You should have one of these anyway for safety reasons. Every time I turn off the vette engine I reach around and disconnect the battery. I still do this, routinely. Still have the same battery I put in 10 years ago.
(I also pulled the wiper fuse, but I still disconnect the battery out of habit)
Regarding "Priority Start" I am not familiar with this device. Maybe they have their own website with tech support.
I have a 68. The 68 wiper system is notorious for causing battery drains. In fact it was designed to drain the battery if you accidentally leave the wiper freeze switch in the on position, even with car turned off!!
When I got my 68 the battery was dead. I immediately ran out and bought a new battery, oh joy! oh joy! car runs!!... next morning the new battery was dead. My short term solution was to install a battery cutoff switch. You should have one of these anyway for safety reasons. Every time I turn off the vette engine I reach around and disconnect the battery. I still do this, routinely. Still have the same battery I put in 10 years ago.
(I also pulled the wiper fuse, but I still disconnect the battery out of habit)
Regarding "Priority Start" I am not familiar with this device. Maybe they have their own website with tech support.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Vilnius, Lithuania
Sorry, I did not mention it in my previous post. I am also talking about my '68 Corvette. It has a dead wiper motor (I got it confirmed by the shop, who disassembled and reassembled it again) and I have just ordered a new one. Well, I think, I will also have to buy a simple battery cut off switch.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Drained Battery
I have experienced this in both my boat and my 79 Vette.
My boat died because of the radio, it never completely was powered off. After a week it would be dead.
My Vette's radio Amp was an incredible hog. If I listened to the radio for an hour without the car running it would drained it, otherwise it took a couple of days.
So I would examine your audio electronics to see if that is the culprit. Since I haven't taken steps to correct it yet, I always disconnect my battery.
Paul
My boat died because of the radio, it never completely was powered off. After a week it would be dead.
My Vette's radio Amp was an incredible hog. If I listened to the radio for an hour without the car running it would drained it, otherwise it took a couple of days.
So I would examine your audio electronics to see if that is the culprit. Since I haven't taken steps to correct it yet, I always disconnect my battery.
Paul
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 11
From: LA CA
I've had the same problem with my 79 and there is no easier fix than installing a battery disconect switch.. This will work 'till You have time to work on what is draining the battery... More than likely a short
somewhere or bad ground.. Mine was in the horn....
Good luck.....
somewhere or bad ground.. Mine was in the horn....
Good luck.....
