Would two alarm LED's significantly drain battery?

blarchitect · 06-05-2008, 06:25 AM

I have the factory RS 3000 alarm with the flashing LED status monitor in a 1998 4Runner. I recently upgraded the radio trim piece from a later model which also includes an alarm LED. My question is would having two flashing LED's drain the battery say if the vehicle wasn't driven during a two week vacation. I'm no expert on car electrics and apologise if this is a dumbo question.

AxleIke · 06-05-2008, 06:30 AM

I wouldn't worry about it.

LEDs are used because they draw a miniscule amount of power to operate. I would be willing to bet that you couldn't drain a good car battery down with two LED's in two years. You'll be fine.

Now, that is assuming that you have nothing else in the alarm drawing power. As long as its just the LED's, you'll be fine.

bigtrucknwheels · 06-05-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blarchitect

I have the factory RS 3000 alarm with the flashing LED status monitor in a 1998 4Runner. I recently upgraded the radio trim piece from a later model which also includes an alarm LED. My question is would having two flashing LED's drain the battery say if the vehicle wasn't driven during a two week vacation. I'm no expert on car electrics and apologise if this is a dumbo question.

its quite alright, the only way to know is to ask. you will be fine with those two LEDs, they wont drain your battery out, esp not in two weeks. they have a current draw in the miliamps or smaller area, which is about as much as your 4Runner consumes to remember user settings and data, such as the clock and the ECU. if it dies, and it was purely because of the LED's, then either you got something wrong elsewhere or you left a light on without knowing.

best of luck, and enjoy your vacation!

blarchitect · 06-05-2008, 06:43 AM

Thanks for the confirmation guys.

deserttoy84 · 06-07-2008, 08:22 PM

think about this... those NINE led flashlight can run off 3 AA batteries for HOURS and HOURS!!

blarchitect · 06-09-2008, 11:42 AM

All academic as I plugged the original LED back in and the new one on the console stopped working. I can only assume that the alarm ECU can only send a pulsed signal strong enough for one LED??

**aviator** · 06-09-2008, 12:48 PM

That is a posibility though it may be that the box is only looking to flash one led. are these leds wired in series or parallel? in series the resistance of the first led is taking all the signal power. If they were in parallel they both might flash but at a slower rate.

blarchitect · 06-09-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

That is a posibility though it may be that the box is only looking to flash one led. are these leds wired in series or parallel? in series the resistance of the first led is taking all the signal power. If they were in parallel they both might flash but at a slower rate.

Mmm my electrical knowledge is lacking here! Would need to do some Google to find out diff between series and parallel. What I did was tap into the two wires feeding the original before the existing LED . Although the new connection is first it goes out when the the original is reinstated.

06-05-2008, 06:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
blarchitect Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 386	Would two alarm LED's significantly drain battery? I have the factory RS 3000 alarm with the flashing LED status monitor in a 1998 4Runner. I recently upgraded the radio trim piece from a later model which also includes an alarm LED. My question is would having two flashing LED's drain the battery say if the vehicle wasn't driven during a two week vacation. I'm no expert on car electrics and apologise if this is a dumbo question. __________________ Wanted: Square end caps for dark tan 4Runner cargo cover. Wanted: 96-98 4Runner Clear bumper lights.

06-05-2008, 06:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
AxleIke Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 4,558	I wouldn't worry about it. LEDs are used because they draw a miniscule amount of power to operate. I would be willing to bet that you couldn't drain a good car battery down with two LED's in two years. You'll be fine. Now, that is assuming that you have nothing else in the alarm drawing power. As long as its just the LED's, you'll be fine. __________________ IFS SAS My mods aren't bling enough for the signature line. -All Terrains are for when you know how to drive.

06-05-2008, 06:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
blarchitect Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 386	Thanks for the confirmation guys. __________________ Wanted: Square end caps for dark tan 4Runner cargo cover. Wanted: 96-98 4Runner Clear bumper lights.

06-07-2008, 08:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
deserttoy84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 848	think about this... those NINE led flashlight can run off 3 AA batteries for HOURS and HOURS!! __________________ 1984 toyota sr5 4x4 22r w/ weber 32/36 Pro comp 4" front springs and 3" rear downey springs D-tech Shocks 33x12.5 M/T , 15 inch weld rims Hella 550/ Hella h4 conversions with HID Home made On-board air system

06-09-2008, 11:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
blarchitect Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 386	All academic as I plugged the original LED back in and the new one on the console stopped working. I can only assume that the alarm ECU can only send a pulsed signal strong enough for one LED?? __________________ Wanted: Square end caps for dark tan 4Runner cargo cover. Wanted: 96-98 4Runner Clear bumper lights.

06-09-2008, 12:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 5,324	That is a posibility though it may be that the box is only looking to flash one led. are these leds wired in series or parallel? in series the resistance of the first led is taking all the signal power. If they were in parallel they both might flash but at a slower rate. __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

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