VHF on All the Time?

zonaman

zonaman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 1, 2005
Messages
118
I boat in central Arizona. There is little to no VHF radio traffic here. Nevertheless, I was wondering if there would be a significant draw on my battery by leaving my radio (Uniden UM385 - 360 mA @ 13.8V DC at squelched, 920 mA @ 13.8V DC at maximum audio output) on in triple watch mode constantly- say for 24 hours? Thanks.
 
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dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,079
zonaman said:
I boat in central Arizona. There is little to no VHF radio traffic here. Nevertheless, I was wondering if there would be a significant draw on my battery by leaving my radio (Uniden UM385 - 360 mA @ 13.8V DC at squelched, 920 mA @ 13.8V DC at maximum audio output) on in triple watch mode constantly- say for 24 hours? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Depends on what you define as significant?

Assuming 12.7V supply…..

9.4 amps and 24 amps in a 24 hour period
 
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zonaman

zonaman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 1, 2005
Messages
118
dingbat said:
Depends on what you define as significant?

Assuming 12.7V supply…..

9.4 amps and 24 amps in a 24 hour period
Click to expand...
Still able to turn the starter on 90 horse Mariner would be significant.
 
FunInDuhSun

FunInDuhSun

Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 25, 2010
Messages
473
My AO is a very busy waterway and I keep the VHF on, even when overnighting. But, then again, my rig has 4- group 31 batteries…..
 
zonaman

zonaman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 1, 2005
Messages
118
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R

racerone

Supreme Mariner
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See what your local Coast Guard says about having the radio on while underway.
 
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