Table of Contents
What is the purpose of a battery drain test?
The Amperage Battery Drain Test. With the amperage test, you probe the different electrical circuits searching for the presence of electrical current when there should be none. The best way to conduct this test is to use an inductive ammeter capable of reading DC milliamps.
How is a battery drain test performed?
Pull the negative off the battery. Put the test light between the post and the ground wire. If the light illuminates, you have a draw. Use the fuse pull method to find the draw; when the light goes out, you found the draw.
What can cause a car battery to drain?
7 Things That Can Drain Your Car Battery
- You left your headlights on.
- Something is causing a “parasitic draw.”
- Your battery connections are loose or corroded.
- It’s extremely hot or cold outside.
- The battery isn’t charging while you drive.
- You’re taking too many short drives.
- Your battery is old.
How long does it take for a car battery to drain?
If you’re dealing with a fully charged battery that’s relatively new and in perfect condition, it will take 2-3 months for it to lose its power completely.
What can cause car battery to keep dying?
Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.
What can cause a battery to drain in a car?
Alternators with bad diodes can cause battery drain. An alternator with a good diode allows current to flow in one direction. A bad diode can leak and allow the current to flow in the opposite direction.
What drains a car battery while it is off?
Things such as interior lights that do not turn off, radio station presets, the clock, engine computers and body-control modules all drain a car’s battery even when the car is off. Other items like proximity keys, aftermarket stereos and amps and alarm systems can also draw excess voltage that drains the car’s battery.
How do you check for battery drain?
Touch the test light pick to the ground battery post. If the test light does not light or glow, there is no drain in your battery. If the test light comes on or glows, you have detected a battery drain in your tractor. Locate the wire or component causing the drain by leaving the test light connected to the battery cable and post.
What would drain a car battery overnight?
Cooling fans, power seat belt retractors, radios and convenience lights left on, alarm systems, door locking systems and electric car antennas have also caused batteries to drain overnight. Leaving your headlights on will generally discharge a fully charged car battery within four to five hours.