Anti Theft Alarm - How long Before it Drains the Battery??

[cayman]

We plan to leave for vacation soon for a few days and I was wondering how long anybody has left their OEM anti theft alarm armed and if it pulls enough juice left unattended to be concerned with for an extended period of time. I have a new Interstate Megatron battery. Baby ('98 RT/10) will be locked away inside a detached locked garage but I just like the comfort of the extra security measure.

 

[Ulysses]

I left my alarm armed for a week one time and it drained the battery but it was an older battery.

 

[TwinTurbo]

We plan to leave for vacation soon for a few days and I was wondering how long anybody has left their OEM anti theft alarm armed and if it pulls enough juice left unattended to be concerned with for an extended period of time. I have a new Interstate Megatron battery. Baby ('98 RT/10) will be locked away inside a detached locked garage but I just like the comfort of the extra security measure.

and your address is ?

 

[cayman]

and your address is ?

Way out in BFE

 

[treed]

I think it depends on your car, really. Some people get on here and claim they never charge their battery, and leave them sit for months, while others have their batteries drained all the time... Do you have electricity in your detached garage? If so, why not just leave it on a trickle charger? My car is on the charger 365 days a year, except when driving it of course. . . When I first got my '97, I had all kinds of weird problems, problems with the alarm, problems not starting right, problems not running right, but then I started putting it on the trickle charger and I don't have any "electrical" problems (knock on wood) at all anymore.

 

[TwinTurbo]

I think it depends on your car, really. Some people get on here and claim they never charge their battery, and leave them sit for months, while others have their batteries drained all the time... Do you have electricity in your detached garage? If so, why not just leave it on a trickle charger? My car is on the charger 365 days a year, except when driving it of course. . . When I first got my '97, I had all kinds of weird problems, problems with the alarm, problems not starting right, problems not running right, but then I started putting it on the trickle charger and I don't have any "electrical" problems (knock on wood) at all anymore.

I agree as you can buy a Trickle Charger at Walmart or many auto parts stores and leave it hooked up 24/7. The trickle charger will not overcharge and as you stated that keeping the battery charged can and will help from having all sorts of electrical problems when the battery starts going dead.

 

[kcobean]

Yep, I've never put my car on a trickle charger and there have been periods of 4+ weeks (during the winter even) when my car hasn't been started. No issue trying to start it up after sitting that long. On the other hand, I've heard of cars dying after a week.

 

[PatentLaw]

Without the charger I believe that the manual says approximately 4 weeks. Just going from memory here.

 

[Lake Murray Viper]

Mine has sat for 3 weeks or more with the anti-theft engaged and started just fine. I never keep my battery on a trickle charger because the car generally gets started enough and we don't exactly have fridged winters here . The only batteries I trickle charge are motorcycles, boats and waverunners through the winter months.

 

[cayman]

Well, as I'm sittiing here in Costa Rica at an internet cafe checking my e-mail, baby is sitting home (I hope) with the alarm set and no trickle charger. I think it will be fine with a new battery and all. When I had a C5, she would sit all winter with the alarm set with no probs. On the other hand, I had a friend with a C5 just recently having to buy a new battery after his died, presumably from having the alarm set. Oh well, what happens, happen. Thanks for all the input guys. Now back to the *** and beach!