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Leaving trinity connected drains battery on my challenger
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:26 pm
by jackychallenger
I have found that when I leave my Trinity connected to the OBDII connector that my battery drains when left overnight. While on another forum I heard that a challenger owner had the same issue when they installed gauges using power from the OBDII connector. The solution per the installation manual stated that this was a documented issue with some LX models and the only way to correct was to use a switched power source rather than the constant 12V supply from the OBDII. Quote below:
"2008+ Chrysler LX cars: Many of these, all have been Chargers and
Challenger, have proven to need switched 12v for power. This is due to a
quirk in the OBD2 bus that tends to keep some as yet unknown electronic
system on which drains the battery when the gauge is connected to OBD2 port
power. You can try to use only OBD2 port power to see if it works if you
have time to charge or jump a dead battery the next morning in case the
battery is drained. Since connecting 12v is very simple, this is recommended
at this time for these vehicles."
Is there a switched 12V supply that can be used on the OBDII or can a pinout be provided for the connector so that I can attempt to resolve on my own?
I own a 2009 Challenger SRT8 in case that matters.
RE: Leaving trinity connected drains battery on my challenge
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:24 pm
by allaroundsurround
I just had the same problem, left it hooked up and was going to work, pouring ran and dead battery!

RE: Leaving trinity connected drains battery on my challenge
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:05 am
by mikel
we're looking into this....
RE: Leaving trinity connected drains battery on my challenge
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:06 pm
by crash1369
I just got my trinity today and was surprised to see it didn't turn off seemed to have no option to do so? I was not aware of this, do I really need to unplug it and or take it out of the truck every time I turn it off? Or is jacky having a different issue?
RE: Leaving trinity connected drains battery on my challenge
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:24 pm
by crash1369
I was just out driving some more and it does turn off after all, a yellow light flashes though. Is that normal or will that kill my battery?
Thanks
Re: RE: Leaving trinity connected drains battery on my chall
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:08 pm
by SRTorRed6sp
mikel wrote:we're looking into this....
Finally! Woot! Like I've been saying, do away with the halt monitoring button and have it just go to the main screen then into standby mode at key off.
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:25 pm
by crash1369
it doesn't need to go back to the main screen. Mine seems to be working perfectly now. When I turn off my truck a second or two later it asks to halt monitoring (not sure if what that's doing though or if it's really necessary) then almost immediately fades out, before I could even hit halt. But the important thing is when I start the truck back up it goes right back to monitoring and I don't have to touch anything
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:51 am
by SRTorRed6sp
Maybe the latest update changed something then. I haven't had the desire to try it on mine. I hit the halt button at key off and have not had a problem. Actually, most of the time I think I back out of the monitoring screen before I even shut it off.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:07 am
by crash1369
could be. I just got mine so I have no idea how they used to work, it could even be a difference between the applications I suppose but so far I haven't had any trouble with mine. I haven't had it sitting for more then a day though yet, guess we'll see what happens this weekend.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:26 pm
by SRTorRed6sp
If I don't hit the halt button my battery goes dead. At least that's the way it was before the last update....
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:11 pm
by Brian-RT/JK
Add my name to the list that the Trinity is draining the battery too
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:23 am
by aarcuda72032
for everyone that has a dead battery, are your units screens turning off? or do they stay on after you shut the car off?
Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 1:13 pm
by FGorhau
My battery went dead, too... My screen was left in the "Monitor" mode (per earlier posts) and the screen blanked about a minute after shutting down. The single amber LED was blinking. Next morning, the light was still blinking when I left for work. When I got back from work... no lights, dead battery.
Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 1:20 pm
by FGorhau
Is there a pin-out for the cable? I'd be willing to buy an extra cable, splice in a toggle or switch, and mount the switch in the lower dash somewhere (maybe even a cool lighted switch)...
Anything to keep from killing my battery and plugging / unplugging the OBD II connector every time I drive...
As Neo said:
"Trinity! HELP!"
Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 2:25 pm
by gizmodo
I made a pinout at one time using a AA battery, small LED and sewing needle. It won't take long to do, then you just need to get the OBDII pinout for your vehicle.