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Author Topic: IC-706 current draw when power down.  (Read 192 times)

N0UY

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IC-706 current draw when power down.
« on: December 15, 2022, 05:16:28 AM »

First of all, sorry if this has been answered prior but I did a quick search here and didn't really find what I was looking for.

I am new to mobile operating but it is evident that ever since I installed the 706 in my car the battery is going dead if it sits for a couple days.  I did a google search and have discovered that a current draw of up to 900 mils is present even when powered down.  My question is related to a recommended solenoid to use in the power feed from the battery.  Manual operated or activated by the ignition circuit.  I realize manual lends itself to operator issues but I have been very vigil about power down the rig before turning the car off.  Since discovering this issue, I have been disconnecting the power cable at the rig which is not a good solution but works as a temporary fix. Obviously this connector is going to eventually give me trouble so please lend me your experiences with the solenoid recommendations.   tnx  Ray
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US7IGN

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2022, 05:36:27 AM »

I would recommend connecting the radio through a power relay, which is controlled through a special switch.
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W9IQ

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2022, 05:38:21 AM »

A simple approach is to use a 25 amp automotive relay that has the coil connected to a switched 12 volt circuit in the vehicle (one that turns off when the vehicle is turned off). The relay will then automatically drop out when the vehicle is turned off.

- Glenn W9IQ
« Last Edit: December 15, 2022, 05:48:25 AM by W9IQ »
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

K5LXP

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2022, 05:49:36 AM »

900mA is almost as much current as when it's powered up and receiving.  If it's drawing that much when it's off, something's broken.  My 706MkIIG draws about 5mA when off.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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US7IGN

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2022, 07:31:42 AM »

My Icom 706mk2g was good, but for some reason it also discharged the battery in the car. I think even the minimum current consumption of the Icom made the computer of the car activate and it already discharged the battery.
Another advantage of using a relay and manually controlling it is that it will save the radio from power surges while the starter is running when the engine starts.
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WA3SKN

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2022, 07:45:47 AM »

Why not measure the current draw so you know what you are dealing with.  900 milliamps sounds high.
You could always add some power pole connectors for disconnect purposes.

-Mike.
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AA4PB

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2022, 07:54:18 AM »

I had the same issue in my pick up truck. My solution was to add an automotive type relay (amazon) with the contacts switching power to the radio and coil powered by the accessory line in the fuse panel. It has worked perfectly. The 706 mkiig has a memory on the on/off system. If the radio was powered on when I turned off the ignition then it automatically powers up when I turn on the ignition. If it was powered off when I turned off the ignition then it remains off when I turn on the ignition.
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Bob  AA4PB
Garrisonville, VA

AA4PB

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Bob  AA4PB
Garrisonville, VA

N0UY

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2022, 08:24:53 AM »

Thank you all for your input and advice.  I have decided to install the solenoid with a dedicated manual switch.  If after the fact I forget to switch it off I can always connect it to a switched circuit and go in the auto mode.  I do like the idea of not having power on it while starting the vehicle here in the winter.  I'm in NW MN so often the start temps can be well below zero and I don't wish to power the radio until the car reaches a comfortable temp inside.  I don't want to run the Little Tarheel II in the winter temps so it will be on 20m until spring.  I thought I would be smart and use a digital recorder to log my qs while in the car but I literally through that out the window because it was soo difficult to operate on an occasional basis.  Pencil and paper give me a reasonable method for now.  This does require a pull over however.   Thanks again for the advise.  I've been a ham for 30 yrs but this is my first experience with HF mobile operating.
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WB6BYU

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Re: IC-706 current draw when power down.
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2022, 10:23:15 AM »

Quote from: N0UY

...I have decided to install the solenoid with a dedicated manual switch...



25A is a good minimum contact rating.

If the relay has two sets of contacts, you can power the
coil from the accessory circuit through a momentary
push button, and use the second set of contacts across
the button as a latch.  That way, once the car is on, you
just push the button to turn on the rig, and it will
automatically disconnect when the car is turned off.

That gives you both a manual ON, and automatic OFF.



Quote

...Pencil and paper give me a reasonable method for now.  This does require a pull over however...



A dry-erase marker works well on the inside of the windshield
or a side window, if you aren't trying to log too much information.

The original "head-up display".
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