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Battery Drain

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battery drain
3K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  ksowden1 
#1 ·
Does anyone know how to check and narrow down what is causing battery drain. I've tried using a multimeter switched to the 10 amp position but I just get a 1 reading and the battery wears down in around 8/10 hours and I've tried 3 different batteries!
 
#2 ·
When you say a '1 reading' do you mean 1 amp or overrange? Is the meter wired up correctly? (You usually have to insert the positive test lead into a different socket on digital meters) Is the fuse OK? If the drain is over 10A and the meter can handle it without popping a fuse, the easiest way to pinpoint a drain like this is systematically remove each fuse in the fusebox, looking to check if the meter reading drops to near zero each time you take a fuse out. Hopefully you will be able to pinpoint the circuit at fault.

Hope this helps

julian
 
#5 ·
A decent battery if left out-of-the-car will last for several weeks before it ought to be trickle charged. A fully discharged battery if just left will be made u/s. Also when a battery gets very low it can be difficult to charge up again with the simple types of battery chargers.
 
#6 ·
Sorry to seem like I am decieving anyone here, but it is actually a Nissan Sunny with nothing of any real note to drain the battery down. It's just I've tried everything almost, the testmeter is a draper electronic display one. 1989agoodvintage, drop it down and I'll charge it if you want, for god's sake dont pay for it!
 
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