battery being drained

[Shinnster]

hi again,

I have an issue with my van where if its parked up the battery drains in about 4 days, to the point where it doesnt even power on any dash lights.
I have no idea about electrics, so how would i go about fault finding to see where the drain is coming from? or is it a case of getting in a professional?

 

[TONYT25T25]

There is a procedure where you connect a meter between your battery between the positive connections this shows anything being drawm, your meter hsndout should show what settings to use. Could be something as simple as an alarm system draining it or a light or other fitment.

[Smiffo]

I'd start with a multimeter, and try to measure amp draw with ignition off.

Then, start disconnecting items one at a time on the battery affected ( leisure or starter ) until you see a significant drop. 
i.e. Radio, alarm system, heating system, fridge etc.

Hopefully someone will be able to advise what amp draw you should expect to see to drain a battery in 4 days, and that will give you an indication of what range you are looking for, and ultimately what you are looking to identify.

[Mocki]

Despite what has been said above, i would personally go a slightly different way to find a drain on a battery

Disconnect the neg wire from the battery , and connect a 21w indicator bulb between the neg on the battery and the earth strap you have taken off ….. the bright the bulb lights the bigger the drain
Put the key in your pocket , Now remove all fuses and watch the bulb , each fuse you remove the bulb will go dimmer and ideally go out , showing you which fuse is using power

Note not everything might be wired through the fuse board , so look for inline fuse holders and if when all fuses are out you still have a glow from the bulb, look for infused feeds

Then reason i would and do use a bulb is its easier to see than a meter and less likely to get false readings

[Shinnster]

thanks for the replies guys. I will have a go at using the bulb technique.

i don't really have anything wired up to the starter battery, other than my stereo amp which doesn't come on unless the ignition is switched, and a split charge relay going to my leisure battery.
 

[Mocki]

Interior lights ? It’s been known before to have a interior light that is staying on , in the particular;ar case i remember , it was on in a pop top that couldn’t be seen when the roof was folded down

[TONYT25T25]

It could also mean that the battery has had it after being discharged so many times. After doing all the tests above should give a result, a new one may be needed in any case. Worth if time permits to give the battery a full charge, leave it disconnected for a few days, measuring voltage during this period.

[DoubleOSeven]

It’s your stereo

I jest but 90% of the time it’s this because this is what people ‘play with’ the most when it comes to electrics. Wire it to ignition live not permanent live, if it is.

But as Mocki said, with the bulb method & just pull those fuses one at a time.

[clift_d]

Try disconnecting the leisure system. Split charge relays do sometimes fail, and need to be replaced, and if it's not working properly then your leisure battery could be in a poor condition or discharged, which can easily drain your main starter battery.

[Shinnster]

i think i have found the issue.
my heater blower has permanent power (no idea why) , so when I charged the battery and reconnected it, my blower started up so I guess I left it on without realizing. dope.

I did try the light bulb test and it didnt light up at all, so guessing there's no drain or very little?

[Robsey]

The blower motor should be on the X relief relay power rail.
So should only be on when the ignition is on.

Silly thought - I have heard of the relief circuit being "over-ridden" if the high/low beam stalk is flashed.

Was your stalk in the high beam position?

[Mocki]

There has been some shithousery going on there at some stage , the heater fan motor shouldn’t be live when the key is out
Either someone has messed with he wiring or the “X” relay circuit has a fault

[Robsey]

There has been some shithousery going on there at some stage , the heater fan motor shouldn’t be live when the key is out
Either someone has messed with he wiring or the “X” relay circuit has a fault

My thoughts exactly...
I have not heard of the relay failing, so something has been wired up wrong.

[Shinnster]

i have no idea about electrics, other than what I learn from you tube (not the best source)
so have no clue how to go about finding why the heater blower has power when the key is off. its way out of my comfort zone to even begin to know about relays / circuits etc

[Robsey]

Hopefully there is a member near West London who could have a look and give a few pointers.

Otherwise, you are looking at the more expensive option of asking an auto-spark to have a look for you.

As for youtube - I use it all the time.
It makes a lot more sense than reading through dry boring Haynes or Bentley manuals.