alarm system draw on battery
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=19870
Printed Date: July 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Topic: alarm system draw on battery
Posted By: jrwsparky
Subject: alarm system draw on battery
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 12:18 PM
Hi, I own an '84 Trans Am with an aftermarket Autopage alarm system (put in around 1990). However, when I went away to college I had to leave the car at home, meaning that it was only driven about once a week. The alarm system was left on, and every time my father would go to start the car once a week, the battery would be dead. After consulting a mechanic, we were told that the alarm system had a significant draw on the battery that was causing it to drain. I recall when buying the car that the previous owner said he had wired the system with and positve AND negative ground. Could this have something to do with the draw on the battery, or is it just a faulty system that needs to be replaced? Is there any way to fix or better identify the problem rather than getting a new alarm system, because it still works great overall? Thanks a lot. - Joe W
Replies:
Posted By: jrwsparky
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 3:11 PM
could someone at least tell me what it means to be positive and negative grounded (if this is possible) and if it is known to cause problems?
Posted By: floaterr
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 3:58 PM
pull the power to the alarm and see if the battery is still dieing.
If it stops then get under there and find all the relays and shock sensors. Have some pull the power to the car or the alarm brain and when they reconnect power listen for relays that are clicking. Hopefully the alarm won't be going off.
IMO I can only think the owner installed something wrong (on purpose wrong) so that it is active when powered up instead of resting. Meaning he has a relay or more the one setup to be energized 100% of the time instead of just when the alarm needs it to be.
Posted By: rudbwoy69camaro
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 4:11 PM
I have a '91 Integra and in it, a Matrix RS3. I have to start it every other day or else I won't be able to. Before that alarm, I had an Intelliguard 700IQ, I had to start it at least every 5 days. I checked the alternator-pumping enough voltage; and the battery is an optima red top-three years old. Something is definitely draining the battery. I rarely drive the car, maybe three times a month. I say it's the alarm draining it. I checked the relays, all "resting." New battery needed...perhaps... -------------
Posted By: Offroadie
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 8:37 PM
Check the current draw with the ammeter function of your multimeter. I've found most mechanics to assume a dead battery to be caused by aftermarket electronics without actually checking.
Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: November 09, 2003 at 4:19 PM
The problem you are stating is normal, given the facts stated above. If the vehicle is to be left un-driven for long periods of time.
Your options are these:
A) Disconnect the negative side of the battery terminal.
B) Remove the fuse from the alarm system.
C) Leave the battery trickle charged, while you are away with a automatic / float system such as the Battery Tender made from Deltran.
There is no such thing as a -12 VDC in automotive applications, unless you are purposely applying a negative voltage system, such as those used for ensuring a (0) reference ground.
Regarding the battery: For every full (100%) depletion of the primary SLI (starting, lights, ignition) battery, the service life is reduced by aprox. 30%.
Meaning if the battery has a service life of 5 years. it now only has a useable service life of aprox. 3.50 years, and so on.
The only type of battery that can sustain such deep depletions are those deep cycle batteries, or technically called AGM batteries.
They are built to withstand repeated, depletions that a standard lead acid battery cannot.
Johnson Research who owns the Optima brand is one of many brands that are great performers for such applications or where the environment is very harsh.
When testing the battery, a full AVR test needs to be performed to properly evaluate the *real* condition of the battery and the charging system.
Doing a voltage test is only a small part of testing a battery. Applying a current load test, specific gravity, and VDC, along with Conductance test will tell you 100% as the state of charge and the useable service life of the battery.
One of the very best and accurate conductance testers are made from Midtronics and will leave no doubt as to the condition and service life of the said battery.
Regards
EVIL Teken...
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