[AJD] darn electrical systems

[Michael Dixon]

First, never disconnect the battery on a vehicle while it is running. For a
test, remove the negative battery cable and connect a voltmeter between the
(now empty) battery terminal and the (now disconnected) cable. Any current
draw at all will result in a voltage reading on the meter. When the draw
stops, the drain has ceased. We had a mysterious drain on an Allis B. The
owner had washed it in preparation for a show. In the process, the
insulation on the (pull type) starter switch was saturated and the voltage
drop was about 3/4 volt- enought to discharge the battery overnight. The
meter was the only diagnostic tool used.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <nick_solomon at infostations.com>
To: "Antique John Deere mailing list"
<antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 12:04 PM
Subject: [AJD] darn electrical systems


> well the inevitable has arisen, I have yet another problem I can't seem to
> fix on one of my vehicles. I started having trouble with a battery holding
> a charge, and tested my altenator, and it was putting out well over 14
> volts. so I assumed it was the battery and bought a new one, well, this
> one dies as well as quick as over night. I ASSUME that I have a continual
> drain somewhere in the system even when the ignition is shut off and key
> is removed. What is the easiest method to trace out such a problem? or do
> you think it could be somthing different? its a 1984 olds Model 88 with a
> v8 gas engine
> thanks again
> Nick
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