Battery draw

[MidwayUSA]

Ran my new battery down about a month back. I left the key on for a few days and didn't realize it. Put my charger on it and forgot to unhook it so it got a full 12 amps overnight. Unfortunately it overheated it, boiled the water out and ruined it. Filled it with distilled water and recharged, but since then, if it sat for any period of time, the Warrior would not start. I would have to put the charger on it to get it going. Anyway the dealer gave me a new battery and warrantied the old one.

Put the new battery in this evening and just for the hell of it checked for a draw. Earlier in the day I put a 12 volt test light in the circuit and the light did not come on. Just to be sure turned the key on and it lit so that test would seem good. Well the parts guy told me to put a meter in there instead and see if there was any voltage. With the key off it showed .957 volts. Is this normal? Seems like just under one volt would drain the battery over a period of time. Tried to find some info on this in the Clymers manual and my service manual, but no luck.

I have tested output on the charging system and it is normal. The only electrical tinkering I have done lately is eliminate the clutch lever switch. Just plugged the two wires together where the switch unplugged from the harness. By the way if these are left unplugged will it start in neutral? I kind of hate the idea of it being able to start in gear.

The solenoid and all the positive and negative cables were replaced just before I bought it. None of the harness has been molested in any way and all looks good.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hdale85]

Well, 1 volt at what kind of current. The current draw is what's going to drain the battery as the current is the flow of the electricity coming out. It could be .957 volts at .1 milli amp which isn't much and likely would take a while to drain a battery.

 

[MidwayUSA]

I'll have to get a different meter from work. The digital meter I tested it with only shows AC or DC voltage, Ohms, and continuity. You are probably right and I bet there is no amperage draw to speak of.

 

[Hdale85]

Well if there is voltage there is likely SOME but it's probably not much to worry about. I'd be curious to know why it's drawing current but most electric devices draw a small amount of current even when they are off.

 

[MidwayUSA]

I am sure it is fine. Wasn't really having any trouble with the battery until I left the key on for a few days. The guy at the dealer suggested I check it for draw. I admitted I cooked it with the 12 amp charger. I didn't tell him this problem all started because I left the key on. I fully expected to have to buy another battery for my stupidity, but lucked out. I have known the guy for 16 years, and he always treats me right. I am sure he wouldn't do it again if I killed the newest one, though.

 

[Jebbysan]

Quick and easy test:

Unhook negative bat cable
Grab a test light
Hook the alligator clip to the negative cable
Poke the negative terminal on the battery (key off)
If light does not light up at all...even very dim...then NO DRAW!

Your negative cable becomes positive and the neg terminal completes the "series" circuit.

Good Luck,
Jebby

 

[MidwayUSA]

Quick and easy test:

Unhook negative bat cable
Grab a test light
Hook the alligator clip to the negative cable
Poke the negative terminal on the battery (key off)
If light does not light up at all...even very dim...then NO DRAW!

Your negative cable becomes positive and the neg terminal completes the "series" circuit.

Good Luck,
Jebby

Did that. It is right there in my text on my first post.

 

[MotoArts]

Recently analyzed the battery drain on my 5.0 Mustang. Would draw 2A with key out, and all fuses/relays removed from the box. Pulled plug from voltage regulator on the back of the alternator, installed new reg and bingo, no draw.
Just a thought.

 

[Jebbysan]

Did that. It is right there in my text on my first post.

Ah.....my bad.....up late (for me)......looks like light off.....no worries.
Good to go....

Jebby