New Battery Losing Charge

[Splash]

Luke's red lead was in mA hole.

Re-tested again.

That value was actually (-ve) 1.8mA (with red on lose terminal, black on post).

Still get zero reading when black ob lose termianl, red on post.

Splash

[Splash]

How do itest the rectifier?

ANd, other components?

I only have this multimeter overnight...

SPlash

[rayken1938]

18 milliamps may just be through rectifier I am suspecting battery even if it is new or could be dicky starter motor or leads. Does motor start ok using jumper leads?
Cheers
Ray

[Splash]

never tried using jumper leads.

BTW - value is 1.8 mA not 18mA .

PLease concur.

Is there anything else I can test tonight - if so how - ?

As I am returning multimeter tomorrow.

SPlash

[Poseidon]

I could be way off track here but with all the electronics in motors these days and gauges, control box and the like, perhaps the 1.8mA is normal. Like the load on your car battery from the digital clock even with the ignition off.

I was thinking about my motor then remembered the isolator fitted that I religiously open between trips which would open circuit any load on the battery for whatever reason.

Not sure if this helps however it would be a bugger to go pulling things apart only to find it totally normal and cured with the fitment of a battery isolator.

Regards Cameron.

[Simmo2]

Is the motor charging the battery ok in the first place???
Put the meter on DC volts, measure the voltage across the battery.
Start the engine, rev to say 1500, measure the voltage again.
What are the readings?

[Splash]

Cameron - That's what I am thinking too.

Simmo - Can't do that tonight - damn if only I knew 5 hours ago in day light when neghobors still awake.

I will ask for multimeter again over weekend - hopefully I can get it.

[snasman]

Put the red lead in the amps socket ,black into com and set the fluke to dc amps then test as has been described, if the reading is .18 A it is to high and will send your battery flat overnight if this is the case leave the meter in place and start removing any fuses you may have comming off of the main harness,and look out for the meter to drop to hopefully a zero reading if this fails and the reading dosnt change chances are you have a failed diode in the alternator and it will need to be repaired.on the average motor vehicle you will have an amp draw of less than .04 Amp so on a boat with no other acceseries ie clock,alarm light,there should be no reading at all,bye the way your results are reading I would have as a quess that the meter is set on a/c range ,good luck snas

[driveon]

I will ask for multimeter again over weekend - hopefully I can get it.

Hi Splash, if you can’t get the Fluke for the weekend, go to a Dick Smiths store and spend $10 on an elcheapo multi meter.

No where near as accurate as the Fluke but for what you are using it for, any multi meter will do and it doesn’t hurt to have one in your tool kit.

Next, if you have a battery charger or access to one, fully charge the battery and start again from there.

BTW snasman, sorry mate but 180ma would take at least 3 weeks to flatten a 100 A/H battery, not over night.

Cheers

[Splash]

Thanks guys.

I have tripple checked and ensured the range is on DC and not AC.

I am seeing 1.8mA, not 0.18A or 180mA.

I will ask today to see if I can borrow Luke over weekend.

Please confirm if a 1.8mA is enough to warrant further investigation.

Splash

[Poseidon]

1.8mA (or 0.0018A) is that small a discharge it would be difficult to read accurately even on the mA scale of the fluke, we are talking 1.8 of them.

I don't think that it would be worth locating the source as I still believe that it may be normal and certainly not enough to discharge the battery in any noticeable space of time.

I would be thinking more upon the lines that your battery may not be getting a decent charge.

If you are worried about it remove the lead going to the motor between trips or fit an isolator.

Hope that you get it sorted.

[Splash]

What is a decent charge mean?

Which lead should be removed in between trips?

[snasman]

What is a decent charge mean?


Disconnect either lead and put a battery charger on it for 24 hours, You must use a trickle charger ie your standard elchepo battery charger from any auto shop (will cost between 15 to 20 bucks).


Which lead should be removed in between trips?


Remove either lead it dosnt matter

But you shouldnt have to, this is just a bandaid cover for the real problem

[station-rat]

Hi Splash
Does your motor have a regulator/rectifier or just a rectifier fitted? The regulator/rectifiers use a very small amount of power just by being connected to the battery, engine not running.
Station-rat

[Splash]

What is a decent charge mean?


Disconnect either lead and put a battery charger on it for 24 hours, You must use a trickle charger ie your standard elchepo battery charger from any auto shop (will cost between 15 to 20 bucks).


Which lead should be removed in between trips?


Remove either lead it dosnt matter

But you shouldnt have to, this is just a bandaid cover for the real problem

Thanks Snasman.

When i trickle charge, I normally remove both leads - SHould I still retain this method or just remove one lead?

Spalsh