No radio, and the alarm fuses are removed - are there capacitors elsewhere
(maybe the suppresor on the alternator) which could cause this effect?
Martin
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Hearne
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 10:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] Battery drain
The voltage you are seeing is tiny.
It will be coming from the capacitors in the radio and alarm that were
charged when the battery was connected.
voltage from those will be leaking back through the circuitry and seen by the
meter.
Because the route through the various components is high resistance it drops
as the meter loads it up then recovers from the capacitors when you remove the
load.
Don't worry about it, it's normal.
Jim
On 24/05/2010 22:32, Susan and Martin Scott wrote:
I'll try putting the ammeter in circuit tomorrow. What i can't understand
is why there is a voltage without the battery connected?
Martin
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Hearne
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 10:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] Battery drain
At the others have said, you need to measure the current drain from the
battery by removing one battery lead and connecting the meter between that and
the removed wire.
Do not even turn on the ignition.
A typical current drain with a car radio and alarm will be below 20ma
(0.02a), anything over 50ma indicates a problem and will flatten the battery.
Isolate the problem circuit by removing fuses until the current drain
disappears.
Jim
On 24/05/2010 21:53, Susan and Martin Scott wrote:
Sorry I forgot to say both were new batteries. The first battery was
new last year, when the car was finished. The battery was flat after being
left 2 weeks, and I thought it was a faulty battery. It was replaced, and I
kept the battery on charge in the garage on a smart charger over Winter.
The car drove to Stoneleigh and home no problem (left overnight with
alarm on as well during weekend). The week after (having been used off and on I
started and moved it on the Friday, on the Sunday I went to open the boot and
the battery was dead flat. It was replaced again (a good supplier!), but I
can't expect to rely on their generosity again, and I need to be able to have
confidence that all will be ok.
----- Original Message -----
From: Derek Clews
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] Battery drain
Hi. If you have a possible problem with the battery, try
disconnecting the battery (and remove from the car if convenient) just charge
via a mains charger and then check the voltage after a good charge and over a
period of time after. If it goes down to below 12V sitting over a day or two
it is shot. You cannot get a real view of the battery while connected it may
be a drain from the car. This has worked for me with cars and the canal boat.
(four batteries in two banks!)
Alternatively, try and see what AMPs are flowing out of the battery
when everything is switched off. You may need to read the manual with your
meter to see how to connect this or even if your meter is suitable. But would
be in line between one terminal and the lead, not across the two battery
terminals. There may be legitimate drains on the battery. e.g. a car alarm or
an interior light on. I have had a failed light switch before so the boot
light was on all the time. I traced it that way.
If you are checking the battery the first way is really the business.
That way you can really confirm it's OK. Alternatively your can take it to a
specialist who will test it under load and see if it is weak. The second way
is more for car fault finding.
Derek
On 24 May 2010, at 20:39, Susan and Martin Scott wrote:
I've now had a second battery replacement, and have therefore come
to the conclusion that it may not be a fault with the battery. The last time it
drained to nothing in 2 days (and it was absolutely nothing, not even enough to
light an LED!). I immediately detached the terminals and found there was no
resistance - indicating nothing in circuit?
Although I'm confident with simple circuits, I'm the first to admit
that electronics is beyond my brain power................. I set about some
detective work today
Findings 1. With meter set on ohms, I get no reading across the
battery terminals when disconnected from the battery and nothing in circuit.
2. With the battery terminals connected and the engine running
the voltage across the terminals is 13.7V
3. Without the engine running the voltage across the battery is
12.6V
4. With the battery terminals disconnected and the meter set to
2V, I found there was a voltage of 0.048V when the meter was connected, which
reduced to level out at 0.015V. It didn't seem to matter when the meter was
connected ie If I measured across the terminals 3 Sec after disconnecting from
the battery it was the same as if I waited 2 minutes, and also the drop once
the meter was put across was delayed if interrupted eg . 0.048 then watch it
drop to 0.030, remove meter for 5 seconds, reconnect meter and the reading was
0.030, then dropped further.
5. Having removed all the fuses, the same occurs.
The alarm fuses have been disconnected as well, but I don't
think it has a battery in it.
6. Connecting the meter between the engine block and the
positive battery terminal measures a lower voltage 0.028V, which drops to the
same 0.015V
Is it maybe electrolytic reaction within the block? As I say I'm
not into electronics.
Why is there no measured resistance, but the battery drains?
Any ideas gratefully received.
Martin
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on
an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the
Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club
or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any
person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged
to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this
or related message(s).
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an
"As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum
Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in
the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person
or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or
related message(s).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2893 - Release Date:
05/24/10 06:26:00
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an
"As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum
Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in
the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person
or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or
related message(s).
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As
Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum
Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in
the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person
or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or
related message(s).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2893 - Release Date: 05/24/10
06:26:00
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As
Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum
Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in
the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person
or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or
related message(s).
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is"
basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners
Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the
preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or
entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or
related message(s).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2893 - Release Date: 05/24/10
06:26:00
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is"
basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners
Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the
preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or
entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or
related message(s).
