95 Maxima battery and alarm help

[EfrumT]

Okay, I pretty much know nothing about cars, but am in a real bind at the moment. Was hoping if someone here had the knowledge to help me out.

So here is the situation. My friend owns a 95 Nissan Maxima, which the other day I borrowed to drive to school in and accidentally left the headlights on for 3 hours, consequently draining the battery. I jump-started it and then driven home, but then upon the next attempt to start the car (which was the following morning) the battery was dead.

My question is whether it is common for a single draining like that to kill a battery (it is quite old he says). Or, if it could be this other problem which I will explain:

While driving home right after the car was jump-started, the "alarm" was going off. I say it in parenthesis because he had disabled or done something to the alarm previously, so the interior lights were simply flashing along with some clicking like if I had the hazard lights on. (I'm not sure if it's the manufacture alarm or aftermarket. I can find out if necessary though)

Could the alarm possibly have been running all night after the jump-start and therefore drained the battery again? Or is it simply dead and i'm gonna be out $180 for a new one. Kinda need to know pretty quickly lol.

Thanks

[BeZerK2112]

The stock alarm is not designed to run for hours on end. In fact when you replace the battery it dosn't even go off. Odds are he has an aftermarket alarm system. Those types of systems can continue to go off and cause a battery drain. If the battery is old a complete discharge can destroy it. But if he wants a 180 bucks for a battery tell him to screw himself. The only batterys I know of that costs that much is an optima. If he has an optima then it should still have a pro rated warranty. Check your local shops for info on that one. I just repalced my battery and it only cost 60 bucks. I got an armor plate battery. Very nice and powerful.

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by EfrumT

.... common for a single draining like that to kill a battery ...

As said, it may die(not age related). The "jump start" operation on a totally drained batt may just be the killer on both donating and receiving end. (I killed my alternator giving juice, engine running, to a dead batt... = just dont do it.). Worst killer-operation is to connect both thick jumpstartwires directly between batteries: The blk ground jumperwire has to go from 'any' bolt on engine to second vehicle engine [NOT between battery negative poles]

If u 'Donate' wisely: Charge the drained battery with a thin wire for hours = sudden destroying "1000A" current surge is not possible... This may or may not work.

A totally dead battery may also be brought to life by charging with CTEK, see http://redlinetuning.com/products_CTEK_charger.html
I have one in my maxima - and have used this product on dead batteries. On some it works, others wont... There are also other similar good charger products available - throw the oldie 'batt destroyers' to sea.

Totally drained (and plates inside warped) shorted battery may kill alternator rectifier and/or regulator from the donating vehicle - and after startup from the original. After installing new batt, charge voltage has to be checked. see why at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/23

When its cold, only safe way is to get fully charged warm battery replacement.