Hello everybody, I recently returned from a year long deployment aboard Big "E", to find, among other things, that my batteries were dead. Replaced them with two new Optimas but after a few days they were sucked. Unless I remove the white fuse from the box, they will keep losing their juice. I know I have two good batteries but something keeps draining them. Performed a visual inspection and couldn't find any bad wiring. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Parasitic drains can be hard to find. A good multi-meter is all you need to diagnose it most of the time. Disconnect neg cable from battery, connect meter in series one lead to neg post on battery, other to neg cable. Put meter on D/C amps. Anything over about .2 amps is too much. All this is done with key off, all accessories off, doors closed. Once you actually see the draw on your meter start pulling fuses one at a time until you see the drain or amp draw go away on your meter.

 

Bad Diodes in the alternator can cause this..............


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Thank you both for your replies, I will check both things. Wish you all Happy Holidays.

 

+1Recons suggestion. That'll get you on the way.

Go Navy! Z-man, welcome back. And on the Big E for her last trip. That's something. Take care.