Specifications

43
CURRENT DRAW TEST
As we have already
pointed out, it is very rare that the alarm will flatten the vehicle
battery as a typical current draw of a security system is only 20
-
30mA. However, if
the vehicle already has a current draw of say 60
-
100mA, then you may have a
problem when adding the se
curity system to it. A vehicle has a typical quiescent
current draw of between 10
-
30mA.
It is advisable to perform a current draw test before starting a security system
installation. This will show up any problems before you start. What you need is a
good
quality multimeter.
Step 1: Turn off all accessories, close all the doors then loosen, but do not remove,
the negative side of the battery post.
Step 2: Set up your meter to its maximum AMP setting (10AMP or greater). Make
sure that the leads are in the
correct sockets on your meter
-
red in the 10A socket
and black in the common socket.
Step 3: Attach your test leads
-
negative to the battery post and positive to the
negative terminal/cable connector.
Step 4: Remove the negative terminal/connector wi
th the lead attached.
Step 5: Read the meter. A digital meter will show something like 0.02A, which is 20
milliamperes. If you are using an analog meter you just read where the needle
crosses the scale.
Performing a current draw test before and after the
installation of the security
system will show up any problems with either the vehicle or the security system.
Also, check the current draw with the security system armed, disarmed and
alarming. This will identify any problems such as energised relays or a
n improper
connection.