2005 Minnie Winnie Electrical Short

[jacksonk]

We have about a 2 amp short in our truck battery. It keeps draining the battery if we don't disconnect it. Anyone have any idea where this is coming from? The mechanic can't find it.

[Kpjp]

One way you can check for an unknown current draw is to remove fuses in a systematic method and try to find the circuit which is draining your battery (either the coach or chassis battery). If it drains without the ignition on, then only worry about the fuses which would have power at that time (cigarette lighter, head lights, horn, etc.) Remember that there made be more than one fuse box. A clamp on current meter for direct current (DC) can be purchased, but they typically cost more than $300.00. Another possible problem could be an isolator placed between the coach and chassis batteries. If your engine charges both the chassis and coach batteries, then there is a good chance you may have an isolator.

[jacksonk]

Originally Posted by Kpjp

One way you can check for an unknown current draw is to remove fuses in a systematic method and try to find the circuit which is draining your battery (either the coach or chassis battery). If it drains without the ignition on, then only worry about the fuses which would have power at that time (cigarette lighter, head lights, horn, etc.) Remember that there made be more than one fuse box. A clamp on current meter for direct current (DC) can be purchased, but they typically cost more than $300.00. Another possible problem could be an isolator placed between the coach and chassis batteries. If your engine charges both the chassis and coach batteries, then there is a good chance you may have an isolator.

Tks much for the quick reply.

[jboat32]

Originally Posted by jacksonk

We have about a 2 amp short in our truck battery. It keeps draining the battery if we don't disconnect it. Anyone have any idea where this is coming from? The mechanic can't find it.

Jim, I was checking a site on solar on stuff and a guy mentioned he got a ac/dc clamp meter for around 60 bucks, I went and got one and it works great for checking dc draw without having to puter in series for testing.

John

[jboat32]

that was Sears..

John

[Kpjp]

I will have to go to sears and buy one. Thanks.

Jim

[Dunner]

Works great.

Craftsman Digital Clamp-On Ammeter

[camper33]

Check the alternator. I have seen a bad diode in the alternator put a draw on the battery.

[jacksonk]

Tks much for the tip. The RV is still in the shop with no luck finding the problem.

[wa8yxm]

2 amps, is not a short. It is a load.

Your vehicle has several loads that never turn off, Radio Memory, Engine Computer Memory, normally these do not add up to 2 amps (perhaps 1) but they are there

Now a Group 24 is what 73 amp hours, so if it sits for 23 hours your battery is dead. (At two amps) and very low at one.

I would keep trying to find out why so much current is being drawn

And I'd get a 4amp Battery Tender or Battery Minder (Both TM) to put on it when parked.

Worse hair puller I ever came across (working on my own cars)_ was an alternator that was not properly grounded.. Dang thing did nto drop out when the engine was off and thus ran the battery down (Field current) I replaced the washer under one of the mounting bolts with a "Star" Type lock washer and no more problem.

[Dunner]

Let me see if I can explain this to make sense.

Sometimes when you shut off and engine, a relay or device may hang up closed or active, thus drawing excessive current. If you remove the battery cable from the battery post, the relay or device can drop off and not show excessive drain when checking for parasitic loads. The proper way to test for this is to connect one lead of the amp meter to the battery post and the other lead to the cable with the cable connected to the battery post, run the engine and all the accessories, shut everything off, then with the amp meter still in series with the battery and cable, remove the cable, then read the loads.