Minor voltage drain. How I do proceed?

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 07 Oct 2013, 13:49

Sylv's car has a tiny but, what is considered to be acceptable, voltage drain. Approx 50mA at rest with everything off.

I have traced it, i believe, to the alarm led that sits below the clock.

The drain is occurring on F8 (ZX) which services, Clock, Interior Lighting, Boot lighting, central locking, alarm and siren.

There is a voltage of 60mV being supplied to the alarm LED connector but when I test the LED side of the connector that is no voltage.

With the alarm in an off state and doors closed, I would not expect to see ANY voltage at the alarm LED.

Would anyone know how to go about diagnosing further from here?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Oct 2013, 16:49

Hi Roger,

50mA is absolutely the right figure and is absolutely normal. This is the current drawn by the clock, wireless (to keep the memory alive) and the alarm when the ignition is off and everything else is dormant.

You have no worries sir

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 07 Oct 2013, 19:18

Wireless?

I know it is acceptable. I just wanted to see if I could improve on it.

One new problem that has occurred is that I took all the relays out and lined them up in the footwell. Told Sylv to be careful getting in the car but, surprise, she managed to kick them all over the place.

That's not a problem other than I do not know which now goes where!

I have already blown the audible lights on buzzer.

Wonder if anyone could photograph ZX relays and post. Not sure if Xantia will be in same order.

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 07 Oct 2013, 19:36

Rhothgar wrote:Not sure if Xantia will be in same order

Alas, there is no set order for the Xantia. Sorry can't help with the ZX

Mandrake · Unread post by **Mandrake** » 07 Oct 2013, 19:55

Xantidote wrote:
Rhothgar wrote:Not sure if Xantia will be in same order
Alas, there is no set order for the Xantia. Sorry can't help with the ZX

Indeed there is no set order and even Xantia's of apparently the same spec and similar year can have different relay configurations.

If they're original relays then the relays and sockets are usually colour coded though.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Oct 2013, 19:57

Rhothgar wrote:Wireless?

Yep, the thing we use to listen to the Home Service on the VHF waveband

Sorry, I'm showing my age here

Unread post by **Rhothgar** » 07 Oct 2013, 20:19

thanks all.

mandrake. i noticed that but there is one that doesn't match. i think I may have inadvertently put that one in some time back.

does anyone have one of these 3 pin white ones with a buzzer inside, circuit board and what looks like an eprom chip?

i thought it was the lights on audible buzzer but Haynes shows that as a separate entity.

luckily found Chapter 12 on a russian website earlier so have generic wiring diagrams.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 07 Oct 2013, 22:18

CitroJim wrote:
Rhothgar wrote:Wireless?
Yep, the thing we use to listen to the Home Service on the VHF waveband

Sorry, I'm showing my age here

Not for much longer, the buggers are killing off analogue radio soon.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 07 Oct 2013, 22:23

50 m/a is probably about the self discharge rate for the battery anyway so as long as you don't leave it standing for weeks on end it should be OK.

Peter

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 08 Oct 2013, 06:39

myglaren wrote: Not for much longer, the buggers are killing off analogue radio soon.

Now that is a step too far Steve. Do you have an details of the plan? I did hear 2015 once and then heard it had been indefinitely postponed.

I mean, removing the Home Service (and I suppose the Light and Third Programmes) from proper wireless is just unthinkable in much the same way as the UK becoming a Republic. The Ravens will leave the Tower for sure.

I would imagine the listeners of the Third Programme have got a bit hot under the collar as the quality offered by even high bitrate DAB comes nowhere close to what FM offers. It's like the difference between a really good CD or Vinyl and MP3. OK for Radio 1 perhaps but not for serious music lovers...

Unread post by **myglaren** » 08 Oct 2013, 06:53

It was on the Independent last week. 2018 is the cut-off now.
It doesn't really affect me as I only have 3 radios and only two work, the HK on the computer has no antenna.

Only listen to Classic FM and then not for long as the presenters and adverts become annoying very quickly.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 08 Oct 2013, 07:06

myglaren wrote:2018 is the cut-off now.

That's OK then. Long way off just yet and I'm sure it'll be postponed again and again..

Adverts spoil everything Steve. Long may this site be free of them

Unread post by **myglaren** » 08 Oct 2013, 07:30

CitroJim wrote:
myglaren wrote:2018 is the cut-off now.
That's OK then. Long way off just yet and I'm sure it'll be postponed again and again..

Adverts spoil everything Steve. Long may this site be free of them

Yep, one of the reasons I don't watch TV either.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 08 Oct 2013, 08:26

myglaren wrote:
CitroJim wrote: Adverts spoil everything Steve. Long may this site be free of them
Yep, one of the reasons I don't watch TV either.

And why I only watch the BBC. If they ever get them that'll be the end... Their incessant trailers for future programmes are bad enough..

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 08 Oct 2013, 16:13

CitroJim wrote:Their incessant trailers for future programmes are bad enough..

You're so right !!

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