Battery drain not resolved.

[shineydave]

Disregard my previous post, since then we've discovered the unit to the front right of the rear seat surrounded by foam is actually the headlight level controller

[TWH]

Ok, latest developments.

Got another guy out to have a look at the drain on the battery - recomended by a friend who uses him at this garage when the manufacturers haven't a clue! Tried all the usual stuff of fuses etc... disconnected the final Navtrak unit and still a drain. He thought it could be the backup battery for the tracker. I mentioned that Tracker had already tested the unit but he didn't htink the would have tested to see if the battery was dead and therefore constantly trying to recharge itself.

The line has been cut, and we think that the drain has gone (difficult to know for sure if the ameter was pissing about a bit at such small numbers) so I'm going to give it a week or so and see if the problem is solved. If it is then Tracker will be getting a VERY irrate phone call from me with a demand for a new backup and a refund! But I won't get ahead of myself just yet.

Thanks again for your input so far guys.

[PhilT]

Still trying to find the cause of mine

[TWH]

How quickly does yours run down to a point where it won't start?

[derdle]

Left mine for a week.

Thinking about carrying a spare battery for when/if the car is left for long periods away from home and plug it into the "auxillary" socket in the boot just to provide enough to keep the car/security etc ticking over.

Anyone any ideas if this is a good/bad plan or the downsides?

I suppose the alternative is to keep the spare battery separate and then a set of jump leads.

Paul

[PhilT]

Mine can die after about 2-3 days. Had the battery tested yesterday and it is OK. Next stop tracker battery backup.

[TWH]

Well they guy who checked mine out yesterday made the fair point that the tracker batteries are normal lead-acid bats so if they're around 5 years old then they'll almost definitely be dead and then they would be a constant drain trying to charge though dead.

[peterb]

My car's been sat in the garage for almost eight weeks, awaiting a shock absorber. I tried starting it the other day - I think it managed two very slow revolutions before I let go of the key, and connected the battery charger up.

[Mo_S3]

Guys, whats the easiest way to check for a drain on your battery? Im getting the same problem on my S3 and is pi$$ing me off. Dies after about 1.5 weeks. If i listen to the stereo for mor ethan 15mins with the ignition off it pretty much drains the battery totally.

[TWH]

That sounds like it could be a dead battery. But the way to check for a drain is to get an ameter and connect it between the negative terminal of your battery and the negative lead that usually connects to the battery. Then you can start fiddling with things, removing fuses etc... to see what removes the drain.

[derdle]

But make sure the ammeter is capable of taking the current that you expect to be draining!

[Mo_S3]

thanks i will gove it a go tonight.

[Mo_S3]

well, i checked all the wiring to my sat nav system and all was ok( i knew im not that careless) and then pulled the fuse to the reduntant tracker and also replaced the battery with a BMW one i had in my garage and so far so good.
I didnt manage to get the multimeter setup to check for battery drain. Am i missing the point here or do i need a specific ammeter to do this?

[derdle]

do i need a specific ammeter to do this

Many multi-meters will only handle ½ amp without melting. If your current drain is greater than that you risk ruining your meter.

[Mo_S3]

Its ok i didnt pay for it anyway..... So do i just connect it in series?? positive side or negative?