Mystery Battery Draw While Parked UPDATE
Update 13 Jan-- ----------- Never know--somebody on here might have an idea what to look for, thanks for any help. 2003 Chev 2500HD LT (so has lots of electrical stuff that works with ignition...
Forum Discussion
Thanks for all the ideas! I can get back to it on Thursday according to the weatherman.
Meanwhile it has been bothering me that the 0.74 amp draw at 18AH a day does not match the daily voltage decline. After three days it is 12.4 and 54AH would have a 100AH battery at 12.1. I don't know the AH of a starting battery, but expect it is more like 50AH --not a clue, so it really ought to be flat dead perhaps. Something not right there.
So it is likely the 0.74 amps is not 24/7. It was mentioned earlier that there is a time lag for everything to shut down so the real draw must be less than that 0.74 to match the voltage decline.
I note that taking the neg cable off the batt to do the amps measurement causes the truck's brain to need a reset for some things once reconnected. Inserting the meter reconnects the brain so it might draw more just then while it recovers its mind.
Gremlins galore in the replies! No way I am letting a garage go gremlin hunting at $100/hr, so if I don't find it, I will live with it and plug in the battery maintainer at home. Off-grid camping more than a few days will need attention--steal from the camper or run the truck engine before it gets down too far.
Anyway, have to wait to get back at it. Thanks everyone for the interest. I will report back when I find out more.
Meanwhile it has been bothering me that the 0.74 amp draw at 18AH a day does not match the daily voltage decline. After three days it is 12.4 and 54AH would have a 100AH battery at 12.1. I don't know the AH of a starting battery, but expect it is more like 50AH --not a clue, so it really ought to be flat dead perhaps. Something not right there.
So it is likely the 0.74 amps is not 24/7. It was mentioned earlier that there is a time lag for everything to shut down so the real draw must be less than that 0.74 to match the voltage decline.
I note that taking the neg cable off the batt to do the amps measurement causes the truck's brain to need a reset for some things once reconnected. Inserting the meter reconnects the brain so it might draw more just then while it recovers its mind.
Gremlins galore in the replies! No way I am letting a garage go gremlin hunting at $100/hr, so if I don't find it, I will live with it and plug in the battery maintainer at home. Off-grid camping more than a few days will need attention--steal from the camper or run the truck engine before it gets down too far.
Anyway, have to wait to get back at it. Thanks everyone for the interest. I will report back when I find out more.
