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Posted 8/20/2010 9:56:34 AM
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| I have heard from other departments and some police equipment installers that the Chevy Impala is noted for having the battery fail long before the 36-Month warranty. Our department has purchased six Impalas over the past three years, three of which have been use for patrol anf the others for administraive fucntions. Each of the patrol vehicles have had there batteries fail within 12-months; with the most recent purchases of a 2010 model failing with only 3000 miles. The vehicle has been checked for any kind of drain on the battery from assessory equipment but with no luck. We also have 14 Crown Victorias and generally have to buy new batteries after 33-38K miles; but nothing like the Chevy Impalas. Has anyone with an Impala utilized one of the shut-down timers and, if so, has this helped to prolong the battery life to at least 30K miles?
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 Posted 8/20/2010 11:59:40 AM
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| The problem is not uncommon. I run a half and half fleet of Impalas and CV's and experienced the same issues. We run a lot of gear and management is dead set against using the shut off timers. During the troubleshooting, we discovered a lot of parasidic loads in the first 10 minutes of shut off time compared to the CV. The Impalas use a progressive system shut down which does draw more amperage than the CV. The other issue is the quality of batteries. Todays standard and heavy duty battereis just cannot handle the constant wide range cycling todays police cars put on them. They also do not recharge at a fast rate despite the high charging system output. I have switched to the Oddesy battereis and have had good luck so far. They have a far superior capability to handle long periods of off time (with equipment turned on) and bounce back relativly fast. Since switching to these batteries, I have had zero calls for service when the officer decides to sit in the patrol room for four hours doing reports with all the gear turned on and the car shut off and then expect it start when he gets a code call. I am still monitoring it for longevity since I have only been using them for 5 months but things are looking good so far. They are a bit pricy but I think they are worth it.
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Posted 8/20/2010 12:08:05 PM
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| One of the more successful components for us has been a low voltage (11.8V) cutoff (Power Manager) placed ahead of the police equipment. There are various brands - some can be set to time out, however the low voltage cutoff feature seems to work the best. We are also exploring the use of a dedicated "Glass Matt" battery to run all Police Equipment. The end purpose is to enable the police equipment to remain fully functional with the engine off for an average of 2 hours with occational periods of 4 hours - "No Idle" policy.
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Posted 8/20/2010 12:27:35 PM
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| Thank you for the information. I still think it is unusual that the Impala has the problem ans not the Ford. Perhaps the difference in the 200 vs. 160 alternator has something to so with it. I am attending the Fleet Expo and will jpresent this question to the Chevy rep.
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Posted 8/20/2010 12:35:03 PM
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| I did exactly that at the Police Fleet Expo in Long Beach and the Chevy reps. denied there was a problem, did not have an answer for my problem, and basicly told me it was an isolated issue (we know better than that). GOOD LUCK getting Chevy to listen! While you are there, see if you can get a better answer than "that is has not been a concern expressed by LE" when you ask them why they will not put a column shift on the Caprice!
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Posted 8/20/2010 4:47:46 PM
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| Thank you for the information. I will ask about the batteries, and also about not having a shift lever on the column. Not having a column shifter really limits the set up for radio/siren/computer equipment. I believe the new Ford Taurus-type police cruiser has the column shifter on it. I thought everyone was trying to fit the cars so it captured as much of the market as possible; doesn't sound like Chevy is taking everything into consideration. Thanks again.
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