Thread: Battery Drain

Try Keith Fiddler at Autolec Stones corner, Keith is Jag expert and has owned Rangies in the past, I know him from the Jag club, nice guy I always use him.

4.6 AMPS???? That is a ****load. your battery would be flat in 10hours.
I Suggest that the radio memory will use 0.046 amps.

If it really is 0.046 amps that is normal for a radio . This will cause a spark. Mine draws 0.08 amps.
Regards Philip A

Second hand vehicle should be made to come with a 'what has been modified' list. I'm sure we're all the same when buying s/h landys.... would prefer to be driving it after purchase than standing on our head fixing stuff.

Radio memory is wired direct from the battery, not through aux.

All I can suggest is start looking for stuff that has been added in the past..... then isolate and see what happens to the reading through the fuse.

Hi Weeds and welcome.

If you borrow a multi meter that has a clamp for testing the current, you can then meter each wire without having to disconnect the wire to measure the current. Once you find the wire, simply follow it to the device thats using the power.

Before I go on to the next subject, let me tell you that I manufacture dual battery controllers but I am NOT out to sell you anything.
A warning about using solenoids in the way you are using it.

Solenoids can be operated from as little as 8 volts, and while your main battery is OK the system works fine.
If your main battery fails but can still put out 8 or more volts, when you turn the ignition switch on there is enough power to energise the solenoid but you will actually be starting off your auxiliary battery and the first time you find out about your main battery failing is when your auxiliary battery fails.

Just a word of caution, cheers

Then there's the thing with fire should there become a short circuit with solenoids. Turning the key off won't necessarily mean the solenoid will respond.

Weeds,
That should have been "sh**load". the censor turned it into an insult. sorry bout that.
Are you aware that there are TWO power leads to the radio. One goes direct from the battery to power the memory for the stations.
I still think that you are misreading the multimeter and you have 0.046 amps which is normal. Otherwise your battery would be flat every day!!!

Re solonoids. I have always used solonoids with an Optima battery and had no trouble. I also fuse the trigger line, and place a diode across the trigger to earth to stop surges. I fitted a fuse after a friends T*y*ta had its complete engine loom burnt by a short to earth in the trigger line.
however you have to have your primary battery checked regularly as stated.
Regards Philip A

Hey Guys

Thanks for your input, I was not convinced I could have this big of a current draw, after days of pulling the car apart I notice I had not moved the red lead on the multi meter to amp reading outlet. Reading now is 0.04amps which sounds normal thanks PhillipA.

Thanks again for your quick input/advice.

Kelvin

What suburb in Bris are you Weed ?