Caravan/leisure battery drain testing

[spanos]

This started as a chat in a pub....

So my good friends motorhome is draining the leisure battery when not in use super fast. But he doesn’t know why. He is also not at all electrically minded

My idea was to buy a simple wattmeter to stick into circuit by battery . Then you can see the drain and test by disconnecting/connecting the various kit he has in the motorhome

eBay meter for a tenner it seemed worth a try ?

Any other ideas ?

Cheers

 

[Danidl]

This started as a chat in a pub....

So my good friends motorhome is draining the leisure battery when not in use super fast. But he doesn’t know why. He is also not at all electrically minded

My idea was to buy a simple wattmeter to stick into circuit by battery . Then you can see the drain and test by disconnecting/connecting the various kit he has in the motorhome

eBay meter for a tenner it seemed worth a try ?

Any other ideas ?

Cheers

Switch off the fridge if the problem is superfast even an internal lamp will discharge it... Or just disconnect the battery live if it is slower and just irritating.

 

[Ocsid]

Systematically work through the fuses on the fuse panel using this invaluable little current tester, to find the one(s) carrying the parasitic drain current.

http://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/ten01046/current-tester-automotive-std/dp/IN04874

The pulled fuse tucks in the probe flank to carry on its intended role, and the tester sorts out the direction of flow for itself.

Note: they come in two versions, you obviously buy the one that features your fuse size. This one is the "standard" unit, on a sister page you will find the mini-fuse version.

As they are over £5 ex VAT postage is free. Buy each type to help a friend!

The way they function they can be left in circuit with the readout switched off, and the circuit will still function away as intended. That can be useful in cases where you want to see periodically how things are.

IMO, for this task less hassle than sticking multi meter probes into fuse holders seeking current readings.

 

[spanos]

Systematically work through the fuses on the fuse panel using this invaluable little current tester, to find the one(s) carrying the parasitic drain current.

http://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/ten01046/current-tester-automotive-std/dp/IN04874

The pulled fuse tucks in the probe flank to carry on its intended role, and the tester sorts out the direction of flow for itself.

Note: they come in two versions, you obviously buy the one that features your fuse size. This one is the "standard" unit, on a sister page you will find the mini-fuse version.

As they are over £5 ex VAT postage is free. Buy each type to help a friend!

The way they function they can be left in circuit with the readout switched off, and the circuit will still function away as intended. That can be useful in cases where you want to see periodically how things are.

IMO, for this task less hassle than sticking multi meter probes into fuse holders seeking current readings.

Perfect! Thanks very much, should do the job very nicely