Hey guys,

I could really use some help with this. I am trying to put stuff on my bike to keep it mine. Recently I purchased a Scorpio i500SE Security System. This requires 4 mA. The motorcycle is a 2007 CBR 1000RR and I would also like to put a GPS Tracking Unit on the motorcycle. The GPS tracking unit takes up to 22 mA. I am trying to figure out how long it will last, whether or it's possible, and whether or not that GPS Tracking Unit is worth putting on the motorcycle. Unfortunately for GPS Tracking Units it appears as though the majority take a lot of power and there are very few reviews on them.

Here are the two units that I am looking into:

Unitracking - 699 + $50.00 / Year + Communication Credits
Digital Guardian - $795.00 + $25.00 / Year + Communication Credits

 

Well, regarding the current draw, those figures seemreasonable tome...almost too reasonable? Especially the GPS. I guess the 22mA is at an idle state? To put it into some sort of perspective, a single LED will draw 10-40 mA. 4mA and 22mAis practically squat considering a 12V system. I'm not sure what the AH rating is of your battery, but just stabbing at a figure of say your battery is 10 AH.

10AH = 10,000 mAH.
10,000mAH / 4mA = 2500H = 104 days to fully drain the battery not accounting for the dropout voltages and all that other BS. 18 Days for the 22mA draw. 16 Days with both the 22mA and the 4mA draw. Assuming a fully charged battery to the 10AH capacity, and again, not considering the threshold where the starter will no longer successfully start the engine due to the lack of power. So, to be conservative just half the time. Instead of 16 days, make it 8. That'll leave you some starting room.

My point, 22mA is squat. So I wouldn't really be worried about draw unless the combined additional draw gets up into the amps, or if you leave your baby sitting for long periods of time. Then it's agame of how studly your charging system is. AND, is the device TRULY only drawing 4mA? or 22mA? Not likely...perhaps in a laboratory with a prototype design, but with a manufactured design? heh.

GPS, why not? Especially if you're touring on the bike. If not touring, well...then it just becomes a bling thing right?

 

why not just get lojack?

 

Hook one up and check the draw from everything with an ammeter (ampmeter?). then do the next one. From there do Analogs math problem. I know I have seen 'battery saver' type things that route your electronics through a different circuit and they get cut off at say 12.1 volts when the battery drains from them. This way way you can always start the bike but the electrinic gizmos wont take you to zero. Maybe scorpio has a aux battery system that will run both and charge from the bikes charging system.

let us know.