How to check if something is drawing on my battery

[timski]

Hi Guys,

I've got a suspicion something is drawing on my leisure battery even when I think I've turned everything off. Is there a way of testing for that?

Thanks,
Tim.

[itchyfeet]

yep get a multimeter set to ammeter, pop the positive connection off the battery and connect the leads in series with the battery positive connector and the battery positive stud , it will show you current draw.
then start disconnecting things until you find the culprit.

[timski]

Thanks. Will check it out... once I get another leisure battery

Tim.

[itchyfeet]

Why wait, you can measure current draw with a battery charger attached or take a feed from the starter battery for the test.

[timski]

Good point! Hadn't thought of that.
Thanks,
Tim.

[edoh]

i had a draw on my starter battery recently - and found this useful -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5FJDgc ... cq&index=8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
might be of use to you

[bigbadbob76]

If you can borrow a clamp meter you don't have to disconnect anything, just clip it round the positive cable.
They're not terribly accurate but will give you an indication of whether you have current flow or not.

[itchyfeet]

If you can borrow a clamp meter you don't have to disconnect anything, just clip it round the positive cable.
They're not terribly accurate but will give you an indication of whether you have current flow or not.

The inaccuracy is the problem current draw it likely to be quite low like 200mA

[timski]

OK guys. Tested as instructed and there is no draw so I guess I must have left something on without noticing. The van was left unattended for a couple of months over the winter.

Thanks,
Tim.

[Mark S]

Have you got an Eberspaecher heater? The control unit for these draws a little bit of current. I have taken the fuse out of mine as I rarely use it.

[CovKid]

And order one of these to protect your leisure battery from being totally flattened. Would recommend it to anyone with a leisure battery.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Again ... SwvihY-YLi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its set to cut the battery off at 10.4v but you can adjust it up. Had mine drained to 7v a few years ago. Never again. It can't happen with one of these as it will just disconnect the battery before the real damage is done. Voltage meters are ok but it will be sods law it happens when you're not looking.

[timski]

Mark. I've got a propex heater.

Thanks for the tip CovKid. That looks like a great idea to stop it happening again.