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I couldn't find the datasheet to my Quioran QR50E water pump and I want to estimate if I can run an arduino and 4 of those on a battery for longer than a month. I don't know the quiescent current of the pump and I think it could be much more than the arduino's. It is a 12V DC, 5W water pump with a Qmax of 280 liters per hour.
What is it's quiescent current? If no one knows, could I astimate it? What are normal values for such small pumps?
The pump itself requires nothing when it is not running. The brushless controller may well draw significant current. There is not a "normal" or "typical" value here, it's whatever the designer chose. For example they may have saved a few pennies by using a regulator that draws 5 or 10mA with no load, which may seem perfectly reasonable if battery power is not being considered. 10mA at 12V for a month is equivalent to 5W for more than 17 hours.
Easiest thing is to measure it. But if it draws too much you can likely simply cut power to it when it is not being used, with a relay or a MOSFET.
