How long does the battery last with the audio on but the engine off?

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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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How long does the battery last with the audio on but the engine off?

How long does the battery last with the audio on but the engine off?
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 03:13 PM
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if you dont know, whats the longest time your car battery lasted with the engine off but the audio on?
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 05:37 PM
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30 mins will drop the voltage to keep the car from starting, 20 mins is at the edge...
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 05:40 PM
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I think my battery is going bad. I had the radio playing for about 15 minutes on very low volume and the car would no longer start. =( Luckily my friend had jumper cables else I would have been screwed.
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 05:48 PM
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is this true? When I was 16 in HS (95-96), I had a 83 Volvo 240DL stationwagon and I would drive to school super early to get a good parking spot and listen to the radio for at least 30 mins. every morning no problem. Either cars have way more electronics sucking juice for no reason or cars aren't built the same as they used to. You would think car batteries have improved over time as well.
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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you have to keep in mind that the TL system has an amplifier which will suck the power down much faster than a normal radio playing with the engine off would reguardless of volume youre playing it at

though I wouldnt be too suprised if youre battery was in fact weak, the batteries arent exactly known for being dependable

Kahuna, batteries have in fact improved...its a matter of people not wanting to spend the kind of money that a quality battery will cost ........around $200

Last edited by MWalsh9152; Sep 5, 2008 at 05:53 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 06:34 PM
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i have gone hours before playing the radio on the battery alone and was able to start it, also that was after i upgraded my battery. I have done this a bunch of times, but none of them unpurposely.
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Old Sep 5, 2008 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
30 mins will drop the voltage to keep the car from starting, 20 mins is at the edge...

If yours is dying this fast then you definately need to look at a replacement battery, I have an amp and sub in my TL and I have played it at 28-30 for well over 1 hour and it started without hesitation, I also have systems in my Hummer and Z06 and those both will play for well over 1 hour (I have ran the Hummer for nearly 2 hours but that has a big battery) and they both start without problems.

I would think a factory TL (without additional amps) should be able to play for multiple hours without problems.
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Old Sep 7, 2008 | 02:36 AM
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20 mts sounds right. I am afraid to run the shit while pumping gas, thas how paranoid I am. Last thing I want is to look sexy and dead at the same time. And if you go get the battery tested, it will come back in spec meaning no change needed. Stock Acura batteries just suck. And dont think its just Acura, my 2006 GS is the same garbage. However it has a more powerful "stock" system.
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Old Sep 7, 2008 | 03:06 AM
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For those people with upgraded batteries, does this significantly improve the power? I like to run my music while working on the car, always end up needing a jumpstart.
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Old Sep 7, 2008 | 03:16 AM
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my cavalier i can go literally 2+ hours with radio on.. on my damn TL 20min its done same size battery.. go figure
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Old Sep 7, 2008 | 12:39 PM
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Wow, my TL can go for at least 2 hours at a pretty decent volume (10 / 12).

My car was able to start no problem

PS My battery is roughly 2 years old and it's nothing fancy.
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Old Sep 7, 2008 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
30 mins will drop the voltage to keep the car from starting, 20 mins is at the edge...
Not on my car...I ran the stock system for about an hour. The car hesitated at first, but started up fine.
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Old Sep 7, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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For those saying mine can run 2 or 3 hours, think about what you are saying:
1. First of all, its the SUCKY AC DELCO ACURA battery.
2. TL has an amplified that sucks about 200+ WATTS
3. TL has complicated eletronics that run in the background with the radio on, drawing a bit of electric

I have a 2004 TL, my battery was replaced in early 2007, which is pretty good for an acura battery. I got a new one for 10 bux from the dealer due to proration as the battery is warrantied for 2 years full and the 3rd on proration. I'll stick with 10 dollar car batteries rather than dishing out 200 dollars.
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 12:21 AM
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i actually had my radio on for good 40 minutes while washing the car. And this was on a stock battery. Maybe its because its an 08 TL?
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 12:27 AM
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I've taken trips from Dallas to Houston on the stock battery where I'll stop off at a rest stop and take a nap for an hour to 2 hours (if I haven't slept the night before). I'll leave my radio on XM during this nap. Never had problems with starting.
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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 12:31 PM
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3 days... but I have upgraded batteries
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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 05:01 PM
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As my stock battery got worse and worse, it went dead super quick. Literally 5 minutes or less with the bass amp off and just the stock stereo running. Now with the Optima I can run it for at least 15 min (never tried more) with two aftermarket amps running and it starts just fine.
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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 05:10 PM
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I'm on my second battery (OE). Got it replaced with no hassle from dealer, free of charge about a year ago. Now the replacement will crank slow if the car sits for 3 days. I never leave lights on or listen to the radio with the engine off.
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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 05:17 PM
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I got an '06. I have no problem running the radio (CDs) for a couple of hours while working outside. I do it all the time. Its still on the stock battery.
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Old Sep 27, 2008 | 04:17 PM
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As said, the Acura's radio sucks more juice than most. It all depends on the volume and equipment. If you are talking about blasting it with a stock ELS I'd say 20min. If you keep the volume very very low you can keep it on for 1 hr. Your battery will recharge as you start and drive awhile so no problems. But the overwhelming question is why would you really want to do this??

I have a 1000watt amp driving 2 subs and lights galore so I have to be even more careful. (My lights dim if I turn it up for even 30 sec...) Even as careful as I am I am on my 3rd battery. My car always starts slow if the car has been sitting more than 5 days. I should be getting an Optima and alternator upgrade actually.

Last edited by rockyfeller; Sep 27, 2008 at 04:19 PM.
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Old Sep 27, 2008 | 04:35 PM
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I'm running stock in my 08, and I def know that it's shit battery... I can see it struggling on every other start up... I'm going to go back Yellow Optima I ran in 2G... Those deep cycles batteries went thru abuse in my 2G with over 500RMS (3x10" eclipse w/ avic-z1 and 4 sets of components speakers) pumping for hours with the engine off.

Anyone's running Yellow Optima? Size? Thanks.
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Old Sep 27, 2008 | 04:47 PM
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Got It

D35 (8040-218) YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Grp. D35; Cold Crank Amps 650; Crank Amps 810; Reserve Capacity 98; Amp Hour 48; Top Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 3/4 in.; H-7 5/8 in.;
corner
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Old Sep 27, 2008 | 05:08 PM
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Hmm, rockyfeller, D35 fits without a problem???
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Old Sep 28, 2008 | 09:41 AM
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I believe so, it's classically been the recommended size for Accord/Camrys for awhile. (I used to sell batteries back in the day.) I think it might my very slightly narrower and taller though. The battery cover will probably not fit anymore. Well than damn thing won't fit unless you buy the EXACT OEM battery anyways.
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