Testing for voltage leakage

[LandyAndy]

Can one use a standard multimeter to measure voltage going astray???
I have only heard of a "clamp meter" that auto eleccys have.
Really need to get onto this as I now have a total electriggery shut down on BlackBetty.
Thanks
Andrew

[Blknight.aus]

if your talking about insulation breakdown related leakages (like on sparkplug leads) then no that needs a special meter

if you're trying to work out what circuts are drawing what power then yes.

set the meter up for amps pull the fuse and place the meter probes into the recptical for the fuse and it will read the current draw.

DMM Leads with Blade Fuse Fitting - Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=WT5340&keywords=fuse+meter&form=KEYWORD) one of them makes it easy...

one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Automotive-Standard-Car-Fuse-Tester-and-Amp-Meter-ACT1_W0QQitemZ280315169401QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq200 91020?IMSfp=TL091020016001r1504 is even better


failing that you can look for voltage drop across a connection under load to identify high resistances.

[Lucus]

What exactly do you want to check Andy?

If your concerned about current draw with the vehicle shut down any decent multimeter that can test for current (most meters usually have a 2 amp and 20 amp setting) can be used to check.

Top check, Remove +ve battery lead, Attach leads to meter in either 2amp and com or 20amp and com and set the meter to the appropriate setting. Attach the metter in series:

-ve lead to battery +ve terminal and +ve to the positive battery read. You should get a current draw ready.

The next step is to work your way through and disconnect any accessories that you think my be causing the current draw 1 by 1.

Most modern cars with remote central locking and alarms will draw aprox 2 to 3 hundred milli amp when off.

If you are going to check it set the meter to 20amp first and then down to 2amp if required. This will prevent the 2 amp fuse blowing if the current draw is higher. If the current draw is higher than 20 amps....god help up....:D

If you get desperate i have a current clamp.

[LandyAndy]

Thanks Dave and Lucus
I need to find the electricity thief.
Its going somewhere,will be ordering a new alternator in the morning.
No charge at all from this morning on.1000cca main battery(12month old CAT)drained in 3 days,plus what it got out of the deep cycle before the Traxide protected it.
Andrew

[Blknight.aus]

Andy, I wouldnt trust the other blokes opinion on this.....


just like I dont trust anything with the name lucas when electron flow is involved...


Sorry, that was just gagging for it.

[Lucus]

hehehehe:D

[harro]

Andy, I wouldnt trust the other blokes opinion on this.....


just like I dont trust anything with the name lucas when electron flow is involved...


Sorry, that was just gagging for it.

Reminded me of an old Triumph Bonneville a mate had, the 'Prince Of Darkness' struck several times (at night of course).:D:twobeers: