radio seems to be sucking battery even when off

[astampfel]

I boat a used boat with a 1990 90 Hp Johnson. When the radio is off (radio power switch in off position), it still seems to be drawing power (battery cable will spark if I remove it; it must be some type of memory thing). Can anyone suggest how to hook up the radio so it will be off even with the ignition 'on'. Which wire in my wiring diagram will be the best one to hook to.

 

[searay175snyder]

Re: radio seems to be sucking battery even when off

get a togile switch excuse the spelling but have a hot wire and radio wire go to a switch on your dash turn it off there

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: radio seems to be sucking battery even when off

Your radio will have two wires that get +12 V. One is hot all the time, and as you surmised keeps the memory and clock set. The other gets +12 V when the ignition is on. To be honest I wouldn't worry about it, it will only draw a few milliamps when switched off, it's not going to drain your battery.

 

[ezeke]

Re: radio seems to be sucking battery even when off

Most newer radios have two hot wires, one for memory and one regular off/on. You can use a smaller battery for memory, or put them both on a toggle switch.

Another alternative is to have everything but the bilge pump on a master off/on switch.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: radio seems to be sucking battery even when off

Some older model radios may not turn off the way you think. If you push in on the off knob, it may turn off the display, but leave the power amp on. On those models, you have to hold the knob in for 3-5 seconds to get the whole radio to actually shut off. (this was a radio issue that lasted for 2-3 years about 5 years ago.)