\n<\/p>\n
LTA said the OBU is designed to draw minimal current even when the motorcycle is off, and that this power draw is actually lower than the previous IU.<\/p>\n
Like the old IU, the OBU requires continuous power to operate. According to LTA’s One Motoring website, when a vehicle’s ignition is turned off, the OBU enters sleep mode and draws even less power than the IU did.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said that OBUs function as mini-computers that continually send and receive information such as traffic updates, requiring a continuous power supply to operate reliably and maintain performance.<\/p>\n
“Motorcycle battery issues are unlikely to be linked to the OBU installed,” the spokesperson said. “In such cases, it is likely that the motorcycles have a weak or old battery.”<\/p>\n
Motorcycle workshops echoed LTA’s assessment, pointing to various factors beyond the OBU that could cause battery drainage.<\/p>\n
Mr Willian Tan, director of THCycle Motorcycle Repair and Servicing Workshop, said the OBU will not drain a motorcycle’s battery unless it has been tampered with. Unlike the previous IU, which had only two wires connected to battery terminals, the OBU has three wires connected to both the battery terminals and the ignition.<\/p>\n
Mr Tan said the OBU has its own battery. “We connect to the battery because we need support for that small battery in the OBU, and the extra wire to the ignition \u2013 when you start up the bike then it supplies current to the OBU.”<\/p>\n
He added that battery problems may stem from improper wiring causing current leakage. Modern batteries also have a shorter lifespan than older models, Mr Tan said, and riders could be experiencing issues as batteries reach their lifespan.<\/p>\n
Ms Nur Shakila of specialist workshop Ban Hock Hin said it has received fewer than 40 battery drainage cases since OBU installation began. The OBU uses only a very small amount of current in sleep mode compared to the IU, she said, and should not cause a healthy battery to discharge under normal circumstances.<\/p>\n
“In most situations, battery performance and power stability are influenced not only by the battery\u2019s age and condition, but also by the overall health of the motorcycle\u2019s electrical system,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Some motorcycles, while still able to start, may have underlying issues such as weak rectifiers, faulty magnetic coils or other electrical components that affect charging efficiency.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ms Rebecca Lim, an assistant at Zack Enterprise, said the workshop sees almost the same number of battery-related cases with the OBU as it did with the IU. She noted that OBUs may be more prone to damage when motorcycles are parked in unsheltered areas exposed to sun and rain.<\/p>\n
Workshops typically check battery health when installing the OBU and recommend replacement where necessary.<\/p>\n
For motorcycles left unused for extended periods, Ms Shakila recommended that riders use their motorcycles periodically for about 10 minutes every two weeks, or use a smart battery charger during prolonged periods of inactivity.<\/p>\n
“We strongly recommend that the OBU be connected to a continuous power supply to avoid affecting (its) proper functioning and lifespan,” she said.<\/p>\n
Workshops cautioned against rewiring OBUs or disconnecting any wires, as this could disrupt or damage the device.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n