Clever Sparky Question Please

[Dodger]

How much draw can be expected from a factory alarm fitted on a new GSA, when the bike is in the garage and unused and NOT on an Optimate?

Background
I ask because my Sep 2015 GSA was changed in December last year because the battery failed to start the bike 4 times throughout the year (probably an ECU problem but not my problem to sweat it!) Because of that issue I now need to be confident that everything is working correctly. I didn't have an alarm on the last bike but I do on this and I guess its only reasonable to expect some draw. Now, its not really my thing to leave the bike standing for so long as to cause a problem but I guess I would like to have an idea out of curiosity.

Thanks

 

[Engineer]

How much draw can be expected from a factory alarm fitted on a new GSA, when the bike is in the garage and unused and NOT on an Optimate?

Background
I ask because my Sep 2015 GSA was changed in December last year because the battery failed to start the bike 4 times throughout the year (probably an ECU problem but not my problem to sweat it!) Because of that issue I now need to be confident that everything is working correctly. I didn't have an alarm on the last bike but I do on this and I guess its only reasonable to expect some draw. Now, its not really my thing to leave the bike standing for so long as to cause a problem but I guess I would like to have an idea out of curiosity.

Thanks

The battery is 12Ah if I am correct so if the current draw is:
1A - then it lasts 12 hours
100mA - then it lasts 120 hours
10mA - then it lasts 1,200 hours
etc
etc

I let you find out what the current draw is and convert hours to days

 

[malcopopolo]

No bloody use to the OP and it's wrong. The C rate is not linear across the range for a lead acid battery.
In answer to your question, Dodger, it depends a fair bit on temperature but you'll not get more than a week or two.
You'll need some kind of external power if you're going to leave the bike parked up with the alarm set.

Absolutley correct!
Engineer, even you should know apart from current drain, voltage drop will occur as the battery starts to discharge.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

My apologies Malcopopolo.
I deleted my post after you quoted me. I realised I couldn't be arsed arguing with 'he who is never wrong'.

 

[Engineer]

Absolutley correct!
Engineer, even you should know apart from current drain, voltage drop will occur as the battery starts to discharge.

I know that, but a simplified explanation gets you most of the way there, anyway if the current draw is small compared to the battery rating then it is a good enough approximation.

PS it isn't a standard lead-acid battery by the way.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Current draw on vehicles

On a car, 50ma is extremely high for a parked car 2 mins after the car has been locked.
The norm is under 25ma.
On a motorcycle, given the size of the battery, I should think 6ma would be pushing the boat out, unless it is used or charged every week.
My 1200rt came with a factory fitted alarm, but since I live in Northern Ireland, I have never armed it in my 9 years of ownership.
I will not use the bike in winter when the roads are salted, so it lies for over 3 months each year.
In March, I just hit the button and off I go. No charger used.
Ok, it's a little sluggish to turn over on the first start, but it always does.
Myke

 

[Stevie4scoops]

Why not measure the current drain when the bike's not running using a multimeter? I'm sure I've read a maximum allowable current drain in the service manual.

XR batteries are 8AH unless it has an alarm and if so they use a 10AH.

 

[roamer]

The alarm shouldnt be an issue, if armed they usually go into a sleep mode after around a week,
the bike shouldnt drain the battery to a non start or near zero,
4 to 6 weeks inactive its adviseable to monitor and maintain above 12.5volts,
I recall the origional issues you had, good luck with this one,
Roamer,

 

[Dodger]

Thanks everyone