ford1956tractor
Member
How do I isolate drain on battery?
- Thread starter ford1956tractor
- Start date
Crookedwrench
Member
A heavy duty battery disconnect has been working for me
Don
Don
ford1956tractor
Member
Thx
used red MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coon Rapids, MN
Before you go there putting a bandaid on it I would at least disconnect the alternator to see if that is the issue. To check it disconnect the negative battery cable. Then take a test light which should have a regular incandescent bulb not an LED and place it between the battery post and removed terminal. The light should light if there is a draw. Disconnect the alternator plug in wires first if it has them, then the main terminal. If the light goes out the alternator was the problem. If when the alternator is disconnected and the light remains lit you can continue on removing fuses to other circuits if you wish to determine which circuit is the problem. Or you can just go the way of the Crookedwrench.
caterpillar guy
Well-known Member
With meter on battery cable unplug Alternator check then disconnect next thing in line like power to cab check then on down the line. Till you either find the drain or it disappears. IF it disappears with cab out of line then you need to check the cab circuits till you find it there. Or if alternator then change alternator or check for what is the problem in it. And so on till you find your drain.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
A milliamp meter is best, an incandescent test light will work.
With everything off, disconnect the negative battery cable, connect the test light or amp meter in series between the battery post and the cable.
A reading of 50 milliamps or less is good. A dim glow on the test light is acceptable.
It is normal for an alternator to have minimal draw. If less than 50 milliamps, or a dim glow, it is ok. Unplugging the alternator may drop the draw but doesn't necessarily mean the alternator is bad. If there is substantial draw, or the alternator is warm after sitting long enough to be completely cooled down, it is bad.
Any electronic accessories may also contribute to the draw, and that is also normal as long as the accumulative draw stays under 50 milliamps.
If there is a higher draw, start disconnecting accessories, unplugging harnesses, removing fuses until the draw drops. Also look for corroded connectors. The corrosion is conductive and can cause a drain. A wet, dirty battery with corrosion around the terminals needs to be cleaned up.
A bad battery can also mimic a draw by self discharging.
With everything off, disconnect the negative battery cable, connect the test light or amp meter in series between the battery post and the cable.
A reading of 50 milliamps or less is good. A dim glow on the test light is acceptable.
It is normal for an alternator to have minimal draw. If less than 50 milliamps, or a dim glow, it is ok. Unplugging the alternator may drop the draw but doesn't necessarily mean the alternator is bad. If there is substantial draw, or the alternator is warm after sitting long enough to be completely cooled down, it is bad.
Any electronic accessories may also contribute to the draw, and that is also normal as long as the accumulative draw stays under 50 milliamps.
If there is a higher draw, start disconnecting accessories, unplugging harnesses, removing fuses until the draw drops. Also look for corroded connectors. The corrosion is conductive and can cause a drain. A wet, dirty battery with corrosion around the terminals needs to be cleaned up.
A bad battery can also mimic a draw by self discharging.
ford1956tractor
Member
Thank you much!
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