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Date:         Sun, 25 Nov 2001 20:44:35 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: battery charge problems
Comments: To: Brett Ellingson <bellingson@LOCALACCESS.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Brett Ellingson wrote: > > Hello > > I'm having a difficult time keeping my 87 Westy battery full of juice. > I recently bought a new one and still have to hook it up to the battery > charger every week or so. Obviously it is draining somehow. I'v > disconnected the sink unit to see if that is the problem, no luck. The > alternator is relatively new and the belt is tight enough. Any > suggestions as to how to track this problem down? > > Thanks > > Brett Ellingson > 87 Westy

You need to be certain whether the problem is with the charging or from an unusual drain. With the engine running at a reasonable rate you should be able to measure 14 V or so at the big red wire on the alternator and at the battery. If that seems OK you can start looking for the drain. With the engine and dome lights turned off, the only drain should be the clock. There should not be any noticeable spark when you disconnect the negative battery terminal and touch it to the post (wear safety glasses!). You can connect an ammeter between the battery post and the cable to check for drain current more accurately. With everything shut down there shouldn't be more than a milliamp or so. If there is a drain, you need to start narrowing it down. Pulling out one fuse at a time and connecting an ammeter across each socket should help.

good luck, Larry A.


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