Hi folks, I've had a draw on my battery ever since doing my resto. I have a multimeter at my disposal and need to know the following: with the ignition off, where(if anywhere)should I be getting a reading from. I don't have a clock, stereo, ciggie lighter or anything I can think of that has a constant power supply. Interestingly I have a 14v reading from the starter........should I? Cheers in advance.
Your starter is wired direct to the battery which will be why you have power there, the solenoid switches the power on and off to there. Check silly things like interior lights etc
14V sounds odd (assume you're measuring across the battery). Disconnect the batt -ve, set the DVM to current mode (you'll have to changes the leads around as well) and put the meter in series with the battery -ve terminal and the batt -ve lead. The meter's now in series with the batt. You should get a reading of 0 amps, unless something's drawing current.
Cheers will give it a try. In addition would anyone be able to pop their courtesy light out in the cab a take a quick piccy. I haven't replaced any of the wiring up there but it doesn't seem right.
Some excellent info in the how to section this bit should help you. http://thelatebay.com/index.php?topic=5352.0
As said, put meter on amps and connect in series. If you are showing a reading above 1A then there is a drain. Ignore low readings as the radio will have a drain and so will things like clocks etc. pull the fuses in turn until the reading drops, this will narrow down the circuit with the problem. Trace what is on that circuit and start disconnecting things and you will see where the problem is. If the current doesn't drop when the fuses are out then you need to check anything wired in that isn't on the main fuse box
Cheers guys. I've taken readings and I'm getting nothing which is confusing. The last time I left the batt connected for a few days it ran flat and I'm sure I didn't leave anything on. I'll leave it again and see what happens.
May be that your battery's knacked & not holding charge. Buy a simple hydrometer and go a-dipping in your battery cells. If one or more are down, it's new battery time...
