Date:         Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:02:23 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Something is draining the battery, but what?
Comments: To: HotelWestfalia <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

hi,
your test method might not be quite valid.

what I suggest is use a real 12 volt test light, between pos terminal and
pos cable..
what is normal to see is that the light lights briefly ..
then dims. I believe this is from the analogue clock's current flow.
That's what I find to be normal.

if your instrument cluster is plugged in, and your analogue clock works..
that's what I'd expect to see.

or ...to confirm your test method, just turn on say, the parking lights..
that sure should show a glowing test light in this test....if it doesn't ...
something is 'off' about the test method.

get a small battery hydrometer and check each cell in the battery.
if one is significantly weaker than the rest ...
it's a bad battery, even if new.

some suggestions,
Scott
www.turbovans.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "HotelWestfalia" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 8:37 PM
Subject: Something is draining the battery, but what?


I can't find it.  '82 Westy, new battery again, but the battery is going
down in a week.  I put a light bulb in between the taken off negative
battery clamp and the negative side of the battery to see if there is any
drainage, but it did not light up.  Yet the battery is draining slowly.
It's a mistery.

What is the answer professors?
Zoltan would be very appreciative and thankful.