 | Home > In Car Electronics > GPS tracker current draw |
 
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 716   
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There shouldn't have a problem leaving it for 10 days. I have fitted Skytags to a few LRs which are parked up for long durations and the vehicle battery seems to last about 8 weeks before going flat. You could always leave the vehicle on a battery charger if you have one?
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27th Mar 2017 12:04pm |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 1033 
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I have 2 trackers. One proper one and one 'sacrificial' one. I was having problems with the alarm triggering when starting the engine after leaving for more than a few days. I've now wired the sacrificial tracker so that it only charges when the engine is running. Problem solved.
You many not have any problems at all, but if you do, it's easy enough to fix. |
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27th Mar 2017 12:42pm |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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when you're talking about 5V, that sounds like you're using something USB powered?
My Defender started up with no issues at about freezing point having been parked for a fortnight a few months ago. That's with a Skytag and the original 2011 battery. I have since wired the tracker in to the second battery. Annoyingly, when I asked Skytag how much power it used they were extremely non committal. |
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27th Mar 2017 8:36pm |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720 
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Mine's been parked up for a couple of weeks until today, started fine.
If your battery is in good condition, then it shouldn't be a problem. |
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27th Mar 2017 9:19pm |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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1A at 5V is approximately 0.6A at 12V (ignoring conversion/transformer losses) if my basic maths and ohms law is correct.
How many amp-hours is your battery? It's a relatively simple sum to see how many hour battery will last I think? If your battery is 100 Amp-hours then it will be depleted in 167 hours, which equates to a week. However, it may be that your vehicle alarm and other systems may cope once the battery voltage drops too far below 12V. I hope my understanding of this is correct - hopefully someone well-versed in electrickery can correct me but it sound like a pretty high current draw for a tracker. My 110 (with tracker) will sit for more than 2 weeks of disuse without a problem. |
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27th Mar 2017 9:33pm |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 1033
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It won't be drawing full current all the time. I'd expect the tracker to consume different power depending upon the signal strength (same as a phone). My Defender is in an area with poor signal, plus it's in a locked garage so signal very poor. Will use more power than one parked in the open 100 yards from a mobile mast.
I'd guess that's why the manufacturer is so resistant to giving out any numbers. |
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28th Mar 2017 6:41am |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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Yes of course you don't know the average current drawn but in addition to that you don't know the minimum threshold for your car battery to provide enough power for the alarm, immobiliser, starter, etc.
Mine was previously fitted with a c-tek but I know was left for many months on end without being driven. I've never topped up the 10 year old battery and it lasts over 2 weeks and will start at - 7 degrees but I would probably trickle charge it If I were leaving it much longer. |
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28th Mar 2017 6:55am |
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| roel Member Since: 08 Aug 2009 Location: Lelystad Posts: 2039  
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My D3 V8 is regulary parjed up for long times. Sometimes a few months as I use my 90 for the shorter runs.
 The D3 pulls a lot off power even if not used so I killed already 2 batteries thyis way.
I now have a 30W solar panel behind the front windscreen. That is probably not enough for over the winter but like now it keeps my battery charged. Roel 1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001) 1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009) 2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts. 2003 90 Td5 (2009-now) |
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28th Mar 2017 7:07am |
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| tobz102 Member Since: 07 Feb 2014 Location: Atherstone Posts: 134 
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Thanks for the replies, I think the likely solution will be to leave on trickle during extended periods but other than that it should be fine. I'll measure the draw before/after I fit it
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28th Mar 2017 3:34pm |
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| srod Member Since: 20 Mar 2015 Location: Argyll Posts: 190 |
It won't be drawing anywhere near 1A. More like 0.1A or less average per hour I would guesstimate.
I suppose however it's an added security feature if it flattens the battery as at least the car is the immobilised 😀 |
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28th Mar 2017 5:19pm |
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| Defender2014 Member Since: 25 Aug 2014 Location: Buckinghamshire Posts: 65 
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Hi,
I have a Skytag fitted to mine and on more than one occasion over last three years she's been parked up outside for a three week stints and never had a problem. Defender Puma 110XS SW Kawasaki ZX9R El Suzuki RGV250M Honda CB250N Super Dream |
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4th Apr 2017 8:55pm |
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| nitram17 Member Since: 08 Jun 2014 Location: newcastle Posts: 2261 |
I have a skytag and a 2014 defender ..original battery..after 10 days of no use it will be flat!i cannot understand how anyone gets longer....its a simple live feed and earth..........can someone enlighten?
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4th Apr 2017 9:14pm |
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| Defender2014 Member Since: 25 Aug 2014 Location: Buckinghamshire Posts: 65
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I have no answer, also on original battery.....
Unless when I'm enjoying my G&T on the cruise ship the cheeky  are joyriding around Southampton in her 
Shortest cruise 17 days, longest 24 days? Defender Puma 110XS SW Kawasaki ZX9R El Suzuki RGV250M Honda CB250N Super Dream |
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4th Apr 2017 9:39pm |
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| nitram17 Member Since: 08 Jun 2014 Location: newcastle Posts: 2261 |
/\/\/\/\Have you checked yiour skytag is working.........skytag may be just sending you automatic e mails that its working ....try disconecting the battery and see if you get a warning from skytag...i hope mine is working as it takes me half an hour and lots of elbow grease to access it.
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4th Apr 2017 10:00pm |
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