Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN






Search Auto Parts

Mysterious voltage


  Email This Post



Walap42
New User

Sep 18, 2017, 6:01 PM

Post #1 of 2 (1235 views)
post icon Mysterious voltage Sign In

This is about a 1992 Ford E-350 with 7.3 idi diesel.

I have trying to figure why my batteries drain down within 3 or four days when the van isn't used. Using my VOM I checked for current and got a very low milliampere reading. But, here is the mystery: I disconnected all (3) positive leads from the main battery (to check for possible shorts). One lead goes to the starter, one for the auxiliary battery, and the main line to fuses etc. I decided to see if I could read current again. But, with the negative lead of VOM still attached to the negative side of the battery, I brushed the MAIN battery cable and got a voltage reading to flash on screen. Not believing my eyes, I intentionally placed my volt meter + lead onto the disconnected battery cable and the - lead to the battery. I got a reading of 0.22 volts with meter set to read 20 vdc. This should not be possible. I double checked to be sure of settings and that I was not touching leads, as humans do have voltage, thinking it might be me. Still 0.22 vdc. NOT possible I thought.

Where is this phantom voltage coming from???


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 18, 2017, 7:37 PM

Post #2 of 2 (1217 views)
Re: Mysterious voltage Sign In

It's not even voltage you should be measuring. It's amperage.

With dual batteries it may be tricky to measure parasitic drain. The best place to measure it would probably be interrupting the line to the fuse box.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap