current drain.

[MAXIBOY]

is there any way to test for current drain.

[Purple]

If I ever get round to doing mine, I would connect an ammeter (in the sub 1 amp range) in series with the battery negative with the ignition off. And try to isolate the current drain by removing the fuses one by one. The fuse that produces the biggest current drop should be the main culprit. Make sure the ammeter itself is fuse-protected as the plugging/unplugging may cause some surge. Well, that my theory anyway, not sure how it will work in practice.

[Daz.]

is there any way to test for current drain.

Right you need:




























1x Bottle of Ribena
1x Measuring Glass

[stevie_b]

If I ever get round to doing mine, I would connect an ammeter (in the sub 1 amp range) in series with the battery negative with the ignition off. And try to isolate the current drain by removing the fuses one by one. The fuse that produces the biggest current drop should be the main culprit. Make sure the ammeter itself is fuse-protected as the plugging/unplugging may cause some surge. Well, that my theory anyway, not sure how it will work in practice.

That's right - works fine in practice too. Helped me isolate that it was my cigarette lighter socket that was causing the battery to run flat if the car was unused for a week or so. Now I know to just take that fuse out if I will be leaving the car for a while, although really I should now follow the same process of disconnecting the lighter socket and maybe trying a new one to see if that fixes the drain issue itself.

[Swervin_Mervin]

So how'd you connect the ammeter?

[MAXIBOY]

as i thought. put the ammeter in between the earth lead and the battery. whats the maximum drain about 25 milliamp,s. anything over is too much.

also my first suspects are alternator and starter usually but these are both brand new.

any other usual suspects apart from the lighter socket interior light etc.

[Swervin_Mervin]

So earth to +ve lead of meter; -ve lead of meter to battery?

[MAXIBOY]

yeah thats the way i,m going to do it tomorrow see if i can,t track it down. thinking faulty new alternator

[Swervin_Mervin]

I shall see what killed mine.

[richy]

yeah fit the meter between the battery earth post terminal and the earth lead you just removed from the battery, id then lock the car and wait for a min to see if theres a drain at all