How to disconnect all lighting when parked? 2007 connect

[Transit-man-van]

I am only driving on average once a week for a food shop but my battery is running down. I am not even using the interior light so it must be running down from the useless lights which I notice are lit up quite often. Things like the green backlight behind the wheel where the speedometer is. Also the cd player which I have never used and don't plan to must be taking some juice. I would be ok disconnecting that one completely.

Can I stop this superfluous lighting when not driving? I guess disconnecting completely is counter intuitive since I will want it for when driving.

Just got caught out again in the dark and pouring rain preparing for my food shop and have to make new plans now.

My use case is I am living in the van full time and driving as little as I have to. I have got solar now so maybe I can get that to charge it up.

The low usage is probably a low bar since I am mainly working on the van and would drive more once I had most things installed. Just living on my mums drive. Once I was on the road so to speak I would be driving more then.

[Altransit]

Most modern vehicles are very battery hungry, in as much as simply unlocking a door causes many circuits to power up ready for use. They do power down again, but only after half an hour or so, only to power up again if a door is opened!
One option would be to fit a battery isolator switch which will stop any current flowing unnecessarily, the disadvantage being that you would only have manual (key) locking on the drivers door, and would have to enter a code on the radio when switched on (not a problem if you don't use it).
A tired old battery will also make the problem worse.

[Transit-man-van]

Most modern vehicles are very battery hungry, in as much as simply unlocking a door causes many circuits to power up ready for use. They do power down again, but only after half an hour or so, only to power up again if a door is opened!
One option would be to fit a battery isolator switch which will stop any current flowing unnecessarily, the disadvantage being that you would only have manual (key) locking on the drivers door, and would have to enter a code on the radio when switched on (not a problem if you don't use it).
A tired old battery will also make the problem worse.

Is 2007 still considered modern?

It got me again. Have to rearrange my day as I had planned to take a trip somewhere but it is flat again! I thought it would be ok as it was less than a week this time but time goes by so quickly maybe not by much.

I was thinking about old battery as well. Is it normal to run down after a week or does that indicate a worn out battery?

I think I will just have to plan to drive a little more for now.

I have no problem manually opening the driver door but what about the side door which relies on electric only to unlock as far as I am aware, with no keyhole? I am living in the van so getting in and out a lot however not locking but would I have to open the driver door and then climb to the back to open the side door with the little internal unlocker?

Isolator does sound like a good surefire solution though as I think of it, having recently added the similar to my leisure battery system. I would imagine no more difficult than that? Was my first time endeavoring with any electrical system.

Also could this also act as a security system to safeguard against theft? I had grown increasingly concerned leaving my van unattended since I live in it, meaning I have been unable to enjoy taking it anywhere which is ironic since it is intended to take you places. Even though I am driving in very rural places where vehicle theft is probably least likely I had been thinking of adding additional security to give me some peace of mind. If an isolator could also double as security if a would be their were unaware of it then would be a bonus.

[metalworker0]

you may find this thread helpful ..it was found, its all down to the instrument cluster ..

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=206111&hilit=speedo+lights


all the best.mark

[Transit-man-van]

you may find this thread helpful ..it was found, its all down to the instrument cluster ..

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=206111&hilit=speedo+lights


all the best.mark

Thanks.

The resolutions in this seem far more daunting than fitting an battery cutoff switch to nuke the lot though so I think ignition might still suit me best especially as it has the bonus of being added security.

Are there ways to fit the switch to not have to go in the hood every time? I do not mind the extra steps however I was thinking if you wanted to get out of somewhere sharpish, you never know, you would
be hoist on your own petard having to meddle in the hood.

I suppose that is a remote chance but still if it were doable I would. Also if a would be thief were to watch you park it kind of gives them a big hint if they see you under the hood before walking away from the van. They say security through obscurity is the worst kind of security but if it buys a little more time or deters a thief then it is effective.