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Re: Power Antenna and battery drain
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Posted by eric in vermont [Email] (#2058) [Profile/Gallery] (more from eric in vermont) on Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:56:51 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: Power Antenna and battery drain, Todd inMA, Tue, 29 Apr 2025 08:03:55
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Hi Todd,

I just replaced my antenna mast in my 900 and as you know there are two wires that power it. Seems like it would be easy to add in a simple switch in series with the red power wire.

However...are you SURE it's the antenna and not the radio that's causing the power draw? You may have done this, but it might be a good test to unplug the connector from the antenna and see if the power draw goes away. That MIGHT say the antenna isn't at fault.

In the last month, two vehicles came to my attention that had power draw issues. One was Jeep and the other a Jetta, and the issue turned out to be radios in both cases that were drawing too much power with the ignition off.

The question, I think, comes down to understanding how the radio is supposed to interact with the antenna. Is it

A) When the car starts, does the radio turn on power to the antenna for a short period of time to extend it? Then when the car is shut off, does the radio send power to the antenna for a short period retract it? If that's the case, MAYBE the problem is in the radio sending the power when the car is off- IE, all the time, draining the battery.

B) or, does the radio normally send power to the antenna all the time to extend/retract it? In this case, once the radio goes fully up or fully down, there's a switch within the antenna that cuts the power. Then of course, the problem's in the antenna. Or in your case, both old and new antennas. Seems unlikely.

So, if you followed my rambling train of thought, I'm suggesting the problem might be in the radio itself.

If I get time today, I'll try to test my car. I'll unplug the antenna connector and see what voltages appear when the ignition is turned on and then off.

eric in vermont
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