Battery draining
#16
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by bronto
That's a great idea. I already have a circuit tester with a bulb in the handle. The clock is certainly going to affect this too though, won't it? Is is easy to pull or disable the clock?
#17
Rennlist Member
I suggested a light bulb because it does in fact show relative power draw, and it's safe -- no blown fuse in the DVM. In my case -- Fluke DMM -- that fuse is ~$7 per mistake. Once you have tackled various current drains down to the point where the bulb only lights dimly, it's generally safe for even a rookie to hook up an ammeter.
#19
Drifting
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Dave Howerdel
Did you check that the directional switch is in the off position? I've toasted a battery or two this way.
#20
Rennlist Member
I believe he's talking about the flasher/indicator switch..................the lights stay on even with the engine off and key out. Its a Euro parking thing.
#21
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i.e., Turn Indicator stalk... up = right and the Rt-side markers are on
down = left and the lft-side markers burn.
Hard to see in daylight.
G'luck.
down = left and the lft-side markers burn.
Hard to see in daylight.
G'luck.
#22
Drifting
Thread Starter
No, they weren't on. I checked everything I could as soon as I realized the battery was dead. It's either a wiring/short issue, or something really non-obvious. There is a Sony/CD Changer in it that I'm beginning to wonder about...
#23
Electron Wrangler
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You shoud look for a total drain with the car fully off of <50mA - that would be acceptable - Ideally it shoulld be about 15mA.
Leakage contributors (all tiny) will be for example: Clock, Radio, Alarm, Keyless Entry, LH, CD Changers, Battery Minder + whatever bad stuff shouldn't be leaking... You won't have all these on a '79.
My car with lots of extra stuff installed (now there is an understatement) is still right at 15mA so it is possible...
Alan
Leakage contributors (all tiny) will be for example: Clock, Radio, Alarm, Keyless Entry, LH, CD Changers, Battery Minder + whatever bad stuff shouldn't be leaking... You won't have all these on a '79.
My car with lots of extra stuff installed (now there is an understatement) is still right at 15mA so it is possible...
Alan
#28
Drifting
Thread Starter
Preliminary data... battery fully charged, showing around 12v on my multimeter. Connecting the multimeter in series with the ground cable pegs it at 250 DCma, which is it's highest reading. Testing while pulling fuses to begin tomorrow when I have a helper to read the meter while I pull fuses.
#30
Drifting
Thread Starter
I live in CA, but the car is most recently from St. Louis, and before that N. Dakota. But never driven in foul weather (based on statements by previous owners, undercarriage condition and 70k miles).
What's a dimester relay?
What's a dimester relay?