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01-30-2014, 02:09 AM | #1 |
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Location: Mahtomedi, Minnesota
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parasitic battery drain
Do you guys know what the amp reading should be in these trucks with everything turned off? I know I have unnatural drainage but need to know what SHOULD be drained normally. My fully charged battery will die in about 10 hours
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Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l |
01-30-2014, 02:26 AM | #2 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Unless I'm misinformed there would be zero amperage with everything turned off.
The only way to find a short to ground is to start unhooking one thing at a time until you find it and your battery voltage stabilizes
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
01-30-2014, 02:28 AM | #3 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
That's true, the only thing I can think of that would drain battery 24/7 is my radio, but we will see Friday
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Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l |
01-30-2014, 04:17 AM | #4 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Lots of things could do it, any place that has a live wire feed.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
01-30-2014, 08:40 AM | #5 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Lots of cars it's the glove box light that will get you, but you don't have that. How's the voltage regulator? They can stick. If you can borrow a clamp style amp gauge then start unplugging things until the draw goes away that is the best way to find a drain like that.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
01-30-2014, 11:17 AM | #6 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Yes, if you can get or borrow a multimeter (DVM) - disconnect the negative battery terminal, put one lead of the DVM on the terminal and put one lead on the cable to complete the circuit, then look at the amps you're drawing. Then start pulling fuses one-by-one until the amp draw stops. That will tell you which part of the electrical system needs attention.
I just had to do this yesterday with my green C20. Turned out to be the radio. I hope this helps.
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White70C20 1970 Blue C20 - 250, 4 speed 1985 Ford Thunderbird 2005 Pontiac G6 |
01-30-2014, 12:17 PM | #7 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
I uses the full trick and just take the negative battery cable off and bump it against the post, drain=small arc. Pull fuse then bump, when gone the circuit is located.
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01-30-2014, 12:57 PM | #8 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
I know haw to I was just wondering what I should try to get it down to, like 50mA or so?
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Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l |
01-30-2014, 01:41 PM | #9 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
have you check the alternator? the diodes could be bad
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David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube |
01-30-2014, 02:36 PM | #10 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Brand new alternator, slot of the wiring is a hack job right now, but what do you guys think would be an acceptable amount of drain? I know a modern car with all the computers will take about 50mA
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Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l |
01-30-2014, 03:18 PM | #11 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Jump a 12 volt light between the neg batt pole and the neg bat cable. It will light up. Pull fuses until you find the bad circuit (the light will go out) and then backtrack...
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Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer -- |
01-30-2014, 05:37 PM | #12 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
Do you still have the external voltage regulator? If so it could be that mine went bad and would drain the battery. I swapped to an internally regulated alternator.
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01-31-2014, 01:28 AM | #13 |
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Re: parasitic battery drain
The engine is out of a 73 and according to oriellys it was an internally regulated alternator from stock. Maybe but not sure either way it is an internally regulated one
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Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l |
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