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From: paulfoel on 10 Mar 2010 08:41
On Mar 10, 10:52 am, "Tim" <timdownie2...(a)obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Rob Graham wrote:
> > On 10/03/2010 09:31, paulfoel wrote:
> >> Battery is always pretty much flat every morning - car starts just
> >> about. However, once its started in the morning its pretty much ok
> >> for the rest of the day.
>
> >> Sorry for being thick, but can I use a multimeter to see if anything
> >> is draining the battery?
>
> >> If it is, how do I find out what?
>
> > Disconnect one of the battery terminals and put the multimeter between
> > the terminal and the end of the lead. If it shows a current with
> > everything switched off (which it almost certainly will), then you
> > have a drain. Question is, how much? I would expect about 35
> > milliamps or so, because even with everything switched off current is
> > still needed to maintain some functions.
>
> But don't do this before you've made sure that you've got your radio unlock
> codes. ;-)
>
> It's quite likely that it's just that your battery is nearing the end of its
> life and needs replacing.
>
> Tim- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Battery is only 6 months old.
From: Mrcheerful on 10 Mar 2010 08:44
paulfoel wrote:
> On Mar 10, 10:52 am, "Tim" <timdownie2...(a)obvious.yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>> Rob Graham wrote:
>>> On 10/03/2010 09:31, paulfoel wrote:
>>>> Battery is always pretty much flat every morning - car starts just
>>>> about. However, once its started in the morning its pretty much ok
>>>> for the rest of the day.
>>
>>>> Sorry for being thick, but can I use a multimeter to see if
>>>> anything is draining the battery?
>>
>>>> If it is, how do I find out what?
>>
>>> Disconnect one of the battery terminals and put the multimeter
>>> between the terminal and the end of the lead. If it shows a current
>>> with everything switched off (which it almost certainly will), then
>>> you have a drain. Question is, how much? I would expect about 35
>>> milliamps or so, because even with everything switched off current
>>> is still needed to maintain some functions.
>>
>> But don't do this before you've made sure that you've got your radio
>> unlock codes. ;-)
>>
>> It's quite likely that it's just that your battery is nearing the
>> end of its life and needs replacing.
>>
>> Tim- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Battery is only 6 months old.

then assuming that the vehicle gets reasonable use and is charging then it
should stay charged. first thing I would do is check the charging, then
charge and test the battery (even though it is recent don't discount it),
then look for drain currents. you could also try disconnecting the battery
overnight.


From: GB on 10 Mar 2010 12:04
Actually, you can trace the current drain quite easily and quite
specifically - without disconnecting the battery.

1. switch everything off
2. open fuse block lid
3. take out one fuse and connect ammeter leads across the socket - make a
note of the current if significant
4. replace fuse
5. rinse and repeat





From: Mrcheerful on 10 Mar 2010 12:28
GB wrote:
> Actually, you can trace the current drain quite easily and quite
> specifically - without disconnecting the battery.
>
> 1. switch everything off
> 2. open fuse block lid
> 3. take out one fuse and connect ammeter leads across the socket -
> make a note of the current if significant
> 4. replace fuse
> 5. rinse and repeat

that would not trace one of the most common drains: the alternator


From: Duncan Wood on 10 Mar 2010 17:20
On Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:28:33 -0000, Mrcheerful <nbkm57(a)hotmail.co.uk>
wrote:

> GB wrote:
>> Actually, you can trace the current drain quite easily and quite
>> specifically - without disconnecting the battery.
>>
>> 1. switch everything off
>> 2. open fuse block lid
>> 3. take out one fuse and connect ammeter leads across the socket -
>> make a note of the current if significant
>> 4. replace fuse
>> 5. rinse and repeat
>
> that would not trace one of the most common drains: the alternator
>
>

I'm fairly certain that's not very common, it's just very troublesome.

--
Duncan Wood
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