current draw issues with alarm.

So a few weeks I installed an alarm. ( Hornet 727T ) Its working good and haven't had any issues with the alarm itself. But I do have an issue with the truck drawing about 60mA at rest. There are a couple of wires on my truck that rest at 12v but when triggered by the vehicle OEM alarm they output a - or ground which I need those to be able to do certain functions on my alarm. On these lines I put 1N4001 diodes with the cathode going towards the line so it will pass the ground signal but block the voltage. I didn't think about this at the time but could these diodes be causing my current draw being how they have voltage on them at rest? Any input is appreciated.

60ma total draw is quite acceptable.

howie ll wrote: 60ma total draw is quite acceptable.

I guess it depends on who you ask. I thought it was too but then I read somewhere that typically you should see about 30mA. Being how the vehicle now has 2 alarms OEM and the 727T it bumps it up a little bit.

I personally don't like seeing anything over 50mA, but the difference between 50 and 60mA is so little that I wouldn't be too alarmed (pun intended). Your diodes won't cause the system to draw any extra current as diodes don't draw current, they merely pass (or don't pass) the current on the wire.Kevin Pierson

Ever wondered at the massive battery size on a Range Rover, BMW, Audi, Jag, etc. or why current Mercedes can have 2 batteries? Back in the 1970s, acceptable draw was 30ma, by the mid 80s it was 40ma, nowadays, take a 7 Series and you have about 1 amp before the sleepers cut in after between 10 and 30 minutes.

Got a better DMM and took some measurements. Initial draw when connecting DMM and battery in series is 580mA After 1 minute it drops to 83mA After an hour it dropped to 54mA This is with the OEM security and the Hornet 727T active. I am good to go.