Okay so the title is a bit misleading.
I'm not planning on consumming electronics, or removing electronics from my diet (no I don't eat parts)
source https://favim.com/image/474959/
I have a spare car that has an older model alarm system fitted just to provide remote lock/unlock.
The car has central locking and uses a transponder key, so it's not that easy to steal, but the flashing LED right next to the ignition barrel does suggest it might make noises if you break in.
The unit was fitted when we first got it, and it allowed my wife to open the doors from the footpath and get the kids into the rear in safety.
I've seen too many children out on the road getting into and out of cars .... not sure what the parents are thinking (or more likely not thinking).
Anyway now that it is a spare car used in winter and for towing, it sits around and the battery gets drained by the alarm system.
I've made a couple of blogs
and when I last repaired the immobiliser
The other day I had the same problem, get into it to shift it and the battery was way down.
source https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoonview.asp?catref=dwtn172
So I have a plan.
1. Check the current consumption of the unit.
2. Check to see if it can easily be reduced, and by how much.
3. Either fix it or replace it.
Each of these steps requires a bit of work
Step 1 is easy enough as I have a spare unit
Step 2 is only easy if you have the circuit diagram, and luckily I do (somewhere) since I use to fix them for the importer.
Step 3 replacement .... is relatively easy but will require checking the current consumption of a replacement.
I do have one that I purchased for another vehicle, and I should be able to interface it to this vehicle.
So in the next article I will find all the bits and do some checking
https://www.element14.com/community/people/mcb1/blog/2018/03/23/electronic-diet-part-2
Part 3 here Electronic Diet - Engineering a Solution
Mark
Top Comments