Well there ya go. Always nice to have some empirical data, thanks.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "jimt" <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: FYI Satellite Radio Users

On 2/14/05 9:51 AM, "-- Dan Roberts" <danielcroberts@AOL.COM> wrote:

> Yet another confirmation for the wisdom of installing a secondary battery
> and connecting the radio/CD/satellite radio/etc to the second battery. I
> use
> the radio a lot when I'm camping and decided that running down the starter
> battery just isn't smart. Repeatedly running down the starter battery can
> ruin it.
>
>
I plugged my little ammeter into the socket and checked the sirius receiver
I have. I was expecting about half amp (500 mil) but it went to end of scale
with my shunt doubler.  That puts it at from .9 amp to 1 amp.  Even at .9
amp that is going to run a battery down to under starting current if it is a
group 42 battery.  If it is a group 41 battery at about 36 hours you may be
close to not enough start current.  This would be about the same as leaving
a large dome light or kitchen area light on.  On a 80 or 100 amp hour deep
cycle this would have limited effect.  Do not confuse with the effect on a
starting battery which have very low amp hour ratings.

That is a LOT of current draw for that size device.  No wonder it gets hot!

........................................
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com