2008 Taurus, battery problems?

[FormulaForce]

Has anyone experienced problems with their newer model Taurus battery? We have some outfitted with emergency strobe lights and police radios. They are outfitted the same as a bunch of Crown Victorias we have, but the Tauruses keep getting dead batteries from sitting overnight, while the Crown Vics have no problems with the same equipment. Now, the Vics are police package cars with heavier batteries and alternators, where-as the Tauruses are not, but I find it hard to believe that the Taurus's could run down so quick in comparison with all of the equipment turned off overnight. We're talking REAL dead, and we've had to replace the batteries in all of them. Something is drawing power, or the batteries are defective. Has anyone heard anything about problems with the batteries? I believe they are dealer-only parts.

[FormulaForce]

Never mind, I found the problem: The installer had wired the radios as "always hot" so they were drawing power even with the display off. It didn't affect the Vickys as much with their big batteries, but it was killing the Tauruses.

Moderator, please delete this post if you wish. thanks.

[shorod]

Naw, it's a good reminder for those who actually search the forums to check for aftermarket items that may be mis-wired.

-Rod

[Fordhcw]

You could solve the problem by back charging the cost of the dead batteries to the installer. Failure to pay could result in certain consequences. Demand a discount for future purchases of heavy duty alternators and batteries. Try to get a copy of the installation instructions for the radios, to verify that they were correctly installed. Some products are directly connected to the battery through a fuse. These police radios may require a relay and can not be connected directly to the ignition switch wiring of the Taurus. Some cars turn off the headlights automatically after the key is removed, since many forget the headlights and eight hours later find a dead battery.