Is Your GPS, Alarm, or Camera Draining the Battery? The Definitive Solution with an LVD
🎯 Who this article is for: GPS installers, alarm and CCTV technicians, electronic security integrators, fleet operators, and anyone who needs to protect a 12V or 24V battery from deep discharge caused by permanently connected devices.
📋 TL;DR - Quick Summary
An LVD (Low Voltage Disconnect) automatically disconnects the load when the battery drops below a safe threshold, preventing the deep discharge that permanently damages batteries. The problem: most generic LVDs draw 1-10 mA, contributing to the very problem they're meant to solve.
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| GPS in a vehicle parked for days | LVD Ultra Low-Power between battery and GPS |
| Alarm with gel battery that dies during outages | LVD Ultra Low-Power between battery and panel |
| CCTV/electric fence with battery backup | LVD Ultra Low-Power protecting the battery |
| Off-grid solar system | LVD Ultra Low-Power as discharge protection |
The Rinho LVD draws < 10 µA (1,000x less than a generic LVD). On a 7Ah alarm battery, a generic one drains it in weeks; the Rinho affects < 0.1% per month.
📑 Table of Contents
- Your battery is dead in the morning?
- What is an LVD and how does it work?
- 7 scenarios where an LVD is essential
- The hidden problem: the LVD's own consumption
- Rinho LVD Ultra Low-Power
- How to install an LVD
- How much does it cost and how much does it save?
- Comparison vs generic solutions
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Your battery is dead in the morning? It's not a coincidence
Home alarms, security cameras, electric fences, vehicle GPS trackers, solar systems... They all have something in common: they draw power 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even when the main equipment is idle.
That constant draw, however small, accumulates a devastating effect on the battery. A 7Ah gel battery in a home alarm, a lead-acid battery in a vehicle with GPS, or a deep-cycle battery in a solar system: all are exposed to the same risk of deep discharge.
And deep discharge doesn't just leave the equipment without service. It permanently damages the battery, reducing its capacity and lifespan. In lead-acid and gel batteries, a single discharge below 50% can reduce lifespan by up to 80%.
The solution exists, it's simple, and it costs a fraction of replacing a battery: an LVD (Low Voltage Disconnect).
What is an LVD and how does it work?
An LVD is an electronic device installed between the battery and the load (the equipment drawing power). Its function is simple but critical:
- Constantly monitors the battery voltage
- Automatically disconnects the load when voltage drops below a safe threshold
- Automatically reconnects when voltage recovers (for example, when the vehicle engine starts or when the sun charges the solar panel)
This protection cycle prevents the battery from reaching discharge levels that would permanently damage it.
Why isn't a low-voltage alert enough?
Many GPS trackers, alarms, and CCTV systems have low-voltage alerts. But an alert only notifies you of the problem — it doesn't solve it. If nobody acts in time (because it's the middle of the night, a weekend, or the notification simply gets lost), the battery keeps discharging to critical levels.
An LVD acts automatically, without human intervention. It's the difference between an alert and real protection.
7 scenarios where an LVD is essential
1. GPS Tracker in vehicles parked for days
A typical vehicle GPS draws between 10 and 50 mA in standby. It seems like very little, but in a vehicle parked for 2 weeks, that amounts to 3.4 Ah to 16.8 Ah of accumulated drain.
For a 45-60 Ah car battery, that can be the difference between starting or not.
Typical case: Fleets with backup vehicles, rental cars between seasons, employee vehicles during vacations, dealerships with inventory on display.
💡 Tip: Rinho GPS trackers (Spider IoT, Smart IoT, Zero IoT) are 100% compatible with the LVD Ultra Low-Power. Combining a low-consumption tracker with an LVD gives you the most complete protection on the market.
2. Home and commercial alarms with gel batteries
Alarm panels use 12V gel batteries (typically 4Ah to 7Ah) as backup during power outages. But when the outage lasts too long, the alarm keeps running until the battery is completely drained.
Without an LVD, that gel battery can end up in irreversible deep discharge: it sulfates, loses capacity, and when power returns it no longer charges properly. The result is an alarm system with a battery backup that lasts minutes instead of hours.
Typical case: Rural areas with frequent outages, businesses that close for the season, unoccupied homes.
⚠️ Important note about alarms: In most alarm panels (DSC, Paradox, Garnet, X-28, etc.), the panel uses the same terminals to charge the battery and to draw power from it. If the LVD is installed between the battery and the panel, when the LVD disconnects due to low voltage, the panel's charger will also be disconnected from the battery — preventing it from recharging when power returns. In these cases, the LVD should not be installed between the battery and the panel, but rather between the battery and secondary loads (GPRS communicators, wireless sirens, IP modules). To protect the alarm's main battery, the alternative is a charger with built-in low-voltage cutoff or an independent charger module connected directly to the battery.
3. Security cameras (CCTV) with battery backup
CCTV systems with DVR/NVR recorders draw between 15W and 60W. In installations with UPS or battery backup, a prolonged outage can completely drain the UPS battery.
An LVD protects that battery and ensures that when power returns, the UPS actually has backup capacity.
4. Electric fences
Fence energizers run on 12V batteries, especially in rural installations powered by solar panels. A prolonged period of cloudy days can drive the battery into deep discharge.
An LVD cuts the energizer before the battery is damaged, and automatically reconnects it when the solar panel restores the charge.
5. Small solar systems (off-grid)
Solar panels with 12V or 24V batteries for lighting, water pumps, or communication equipment. If the charge controller doesn't have built-in low-voltage protection (or has a threshold set too low), an external LVD is the solution.
6. Telemetry and IoT equipment in the field
Environmental sensors, weather stations, water level meters, agricultural monitoring equipment: all operate on batteries in remote locations where nobody can go recharge them manually.
7. Heavy vehicles (24V) with multiple accessories
Trucks and heavy machinery with GPS, cameras, tachographs, fuel sensors, and other accessories that together can add up to significant power draw. The 24V system has more margin, but also more load.
The hidden problem: the LVD's own consumption
This is where most generic LVDs fail. An LVD that draws 1 mA, 5 mA, or even 10 mA in standby is contributing to the very problem it's trying to solve: draining the battery.
Let's do the math:
| LVD consumption | Monthly drain | Impact on 7Ah battery (alarm) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mA (generic Amazon) | 7.2 Ah/month | Drains the entire battery in less than 1 month |
| 5 mA (generic "good") | 3.6 Ah/month | Drains 50% in 1 month |
| 1 mA (professional) | 0.72 Ah/month | Drains 10% in 1 month |
| < 10 µA (Rinho LVD) | < 0.007 Ah/month | < 0.1% in 1 month — virtually invisible |
The difference is dramatic: a 10 mA generic LVD draws 1,000 times more than the Rinho LVD Ultra Low-Power. On a small 7Ah alarm battery, the generic LVD depletes it in weeks. The Rinho one affects it less than 0.1% per month.
For a 60 Ah car battery, the generic LVD drains 5-12% of charge per month just by existing. The Rinho one is statistically irrelevant.
Rinho LVD Ultra Low-Power: designed to not exist
The Rinho LVD Ultra Low-Power was designed with a clear philosophy: the best battery protector is the one that draws the least power.
Key specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Standby consumption | < 10 µA |
| Input voltage range | 9-36V DC (12V and 24V) |
| Mode selector | Physical switch 12V / 24V |
| Cutoff at 12V | ~12V (protection) / ~12.5V (reconnection) |
| Cutoff at 24V | ~23.5V (protection) / ~24.5V (reconnection) |
| Maximum current | 1A continuous |
| Protections | TVS (surge) + resettable fuse + reverse polarity |
| Hysteresis | Built-in (prevents oscillation) |
| Weight | < 5 g |
| Dimensions | ~35 × 20 mm |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
Why hysteresis matters
Without hysteresis, an LVD would enter a connect-disconnect-connect cycle when voltage hovers around the cutoff threshold. The battery recovers slightly when the load is disconnected, the LVD reconnects, voltage drops again, and so on indefinitely. This damages both the battery and the connected equipment.
The Rinho LVD's built-in hysteresis establishes a gap between the cutoff and reconnection points (~0.5V at 12V and ~1V at 24V), ensuring stable operation without oscillations.
Universal compatibility
The LVD Ultra Low-Power works with any device drawing less than 1A on 12V or 24V systems:
- GPS trackers: Teltonika, Queclink, Concox, Meitrack, Ruptela, Navtelecom, CalAmp, Rinho (Spider IoT, Smart IoT, Zero IoT)
- Alarm panels: DSC, Paradox, Honeywell, X-28, Garnet, Alonso
- Fence energizers: Hagroy, Yonusa, Cercomatic, Patriot
- IP cameras and low-power mini DVRs
- Telemetry modules and IoT sensors
- Emergency LED lighting
- Any low-consumption load on 12V or 24V
How to install an LVD: 3 wires, 5 minutes
Installation is extremely simple:
- Red wire (input) → Battery positive terminal
- Pink wire (output) → Device positive wire (GPS, alarm, etc.)
- Black wire → Battery negative terminal / vehicle ground
The connected device keeps its negative wire going directly to the battery or ground. The LVD only interrupts the positive line.
12V/24V selector: Set the switch according to the vehicle or battery system before connecting.
⚠️ Important: No programming, configuration, or special tools needed. The LVD works 100% autonomously from the moment it's installed.
📖 More info: Check the complete technical documentation for installation diagrams specific to each equipment type.
How much does an LVD cost and how much does it save?
Let's put the cost of not having an LVD into perspective:
| What gets damaged without an LVD | Replacement cost |
|---|---|
| 12V 7Ah gel battery (alarm) | USD 15–40 |
| 12V 60Ah car battery | USD 80–200 |
| 24V truck battery | USD 200–400 |
| Roadside assistance for dead battery | USD 50–100 per event |
| Day without GPS coverage in a fleet | Variable, but costly |
| Alarm out of service (liability) | Incalculable |
An LVD Ultra Low-Power costs a fraction of any of these items. It pays for itself on the first prevented discharge. And unlike the battery, the LVD doesn't wear out: it protects for the entire lifespan of the installation.
Availability
The LVD Ultra Low-Power is available for installers, GPS integrators, electronic security distributors, and end users. We offer volume-based pricing. Contact us for a quote.
Comparison: Rinho LVD vs generic solutions
| Feature | Rinho LVD Ultra Low-Power | Generic LVD (Amazon/AliExpress) | Victron BatteryProtect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standby consumption | < 10 µA | 1-10 mA | ~1 mA |
| Weight | < 5 g | 30-100 g | 200+ g |
| Dimensions | 35 × 20 mm | 57 × 42 mm or more | 62 × 110 mm |
| 12V/24V selector | ✅ Physical switch | ⚠️ Auto-detect or 12V only | ✅ Programmable |
| Hysteresis | ✅ Fixed built-in | ⚠️ Variable or none | ✅ Programmable |
| TVS protection | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Resettable fuse | ✅ | ❌ Conventional or none | ❌ |
| Reverse polarity protection | ✅ | ⚠️ Partial | ✅ |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +85°C | -20°C to +60°C typical | -40°C to +50°C |
| Price | Competitive | Low | High |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a GPS tracker really drain a vehicle's battery?
Yes, every hardwired GPS tracker draws power constantly, even with the engine off. Typical standby draw is 10 to 50 mA. In vehicles used every day, the alternator recharges what's consumed. But in vehicles parked for more than a week, the accumulated drain can prevent the engine from starting.
Can I use the LVD with an alarm system's gel battery?
Yes. The LVD Ultra Low-Power is ideal for protecting 12V gel batteries used as backup in alarm panels. Its draw of < 10 µA is negligible for 4Ah to 7Ah batteries, unlike generic LVDs that can significantly drain these small batteries.
What happens to the GPS/alarm when the LVD cuts power?
The device loses power and temporarily stops working. In GPS trackers with an internal buffer, positions are stored and transmitted when power is restored. In alarms, the panel stops operating until the battery recovers. The LVD's priority is to protect the battery so the system can function properly once charging resumes.
Does the LVD reset itself when the engine starts?
Yes. When the engine starts and the alternator raises voltage above the reconnection threshold (~12.5V in 12V mode or ~24.5V in 24V mode), the LVD automatically reconnects the load. No manual intervention required.
Can I use an LVD in a solar system?
Yes, it's an ideal application. The LVD protects the battery during low solar irradiation periods (cloudy days, winter). When the solar panel restores the charge, the LVD reconnects automatically.
How many devices can I connect to the LVD?
As many as needed, as long as the total draw doesn't exceed 1A. A typical GPS tracker draws 50-200 mA, so multiple devices can be connected in parallel without issues.
Why is the LVD's own consumption so important?
Because an LVD is permanently connected to the battery. If the LVD itself draws 5-10 mA, in one month it will have drained 3.6 to 7.2 Ah — enough to deplete an alarm battery or significantly affect a car battery. A draw of < 10 µA ensures the LVD is virtually invisible to the battery.
Conclusion: protecting the battery costs less than replacing it
A gel alarm battery costs between USD 15 and USD 40. A car battery costs between USD 80 and USD 200. A 24V truck battery can exceed USD 300. Roadside assistance for a dead battery in a fleet can cost USD 50-100 per event.
An LVD is a minimal investment that avoids all these costs, while also protecting the continuity of tracking, security, or monitoring services.
The Rinho LVD Ultra Low-Power is the most efficient solution on the market: with less than 10 µA of consumption, complete protection (TVS + resettable fuse + reverse polarity), and universal compatibility with any 12V or 24V device.
Resources
Rinho Telematics:
- Products — GPS Trackers
- Spider IoT — Mid-range with CAN Bus
- Smart IoT — Heavy duty
- Zero IoT — Entry level
- Technical documentation
- Distributor network
Downloads:
→ Request a quote for the LVD Ultra Low-Power
Related articles
- Ignition Sensors: Types and Technical Differences
- CAN Bus Protocol in Vehicle Telematics
- How to Reduce Operational Costs with Telematics
Have questions about which LVD you need? Contact us and we'll help you choose the best solution for your installation.