2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Battery drain?

[Bluhaven]

How do you check if there is something draining your battery when it is shut off. I'm not an electrical guru, so if you have a step by step solution I can use it. I have a digital multimeter.

 

[wcjp]

You'll need a multimeter that measures amperage (ammeter). Disconnect both batteries positive cables. Close the vehicle doors. Disconnect underhood light. Set meter to Amperage. Double check your test leads. Many multimeters require the red lead goto a different location for amperage.



Attach one side of the meter to the battery. The other side connects to one of the battery cables. Amperage draw will probably be under 1amp. There's always draw of some sort ECM, radio clock, etc. . If amperage draw is over 1amp you have problems. Now that I'm thinking about it draw should be closer to . 5amp. If the current draw is too high start pulling fuses until the problem goes away. This at least highlights the bad circuit.



If no problems start turning on small things one at a time. Try not to turn more than one thing on at a time. The multimeter probably has a 10amp limit. The heater alone will draw in the neighborhood of 20-25amps. Headlights will be good for 20amp. Do not start the truck. The air grid heaters will instantly fry the meter. I think they draw about 150amps.



Hopefully I didn't miss anything important.

 

[Bluhaven]

Thanks alot WCJIP, I'll have to look at the multimeter I have and see if it well work. It's a craftsman 82141?http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=03482141000 Like I said I'm not much with electrical but I'll give it a shot. I did a search and it talked about using a test light between the battery and one of the cables takin off the battery or something? Thanks again.

 

[2-ND TIME]

battery draining

I need more coffee!! Sorry I assume it is for the truck? With or with out the camper on and or diconnnected? The 3 way control for the fridge? 12V/120v / propane. Is the light staying on in the fridge, Glove box light ? Check the inverter see it is drawing current. Are you batteries new or could they be suspect. Could be a bad cell? What is terminal voltage should be above 12. 5Vs. Do you have any added ccts to them, these would be suspects.



Clean around the terminals if any corrosion is showing and add baking soda to leave on terminals over night. and put on vasiline to keep it out. You can pull a fuse and put you metre on --- milli amps scale and read the current draw it should be this low. Is your trailer plug in the truck clean and dry this could be a low amp draw or any place where wire could be worn through and draining. Are the batteries getting charged for long enough (driving time) for the load put on them where ever you go to??



Hope one of these may find the cause?

 

[nps]

Follow the above steps. If you find an excessive current draw, however pulling all the possible loads does not eliminate it, then your alternator regulator could have a bad diode causing the drain. Pull the alternator wires to see if that stops the drain.

 

[Bluhaven]

I guess it was just some bad batteries, tried charging them up, wouldn't take a charge so I bought new batteries. Thanks for all the help, learn something new here all the time. Merry Christmas to everyone.