Parasitic drain

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PeterM
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Location: Saddleworth

Parasitic drain

Post by PeterM »

Hi,

Could someone tell me if I can use the PP218 current clamp to check for parasitic drain?

Thanks

Peter

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Robski
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by Robski »

yes of course you can......
Low Amps clamp parasitic draw.JPG

Darren Cotton
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by Darren Cotton »

Nice pointy things Robski....

oh and was that an alternator fault causing your drain?

Darren

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Robski
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by Robski »

Darren Cotton wrote:Nice pointy things Robski....

oh and was that an alternator fault causing your drain?

Darren
Hello Darren :D

Yes they are nice pointy things aren't they :lol:

And yes the alternator was drawing from the battery, in hind sight i think i would have been on it quicker had i done a ripple test maybe ? :roll:

PeterM
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by PeterM »

Hi,(pointy things).
Thanks for the reply. Are you sure its the PP218 that you are using, as it does not appear to work for me. How would you connect it. We are talking milli-amps. Thanks a lot,
Peter.

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Robski
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by Robski »

How are you connecting & what scope are you using ?

PeterM
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by PeterM »

Hi,
Appreciate your reply. If i connect my multimeter between battery positive terminal and the positive lead , it tells me i have approx 0.5 amp drain (500 m/a).I have an adapter that fits between battery positive or battery negative so that a current clamp meter will fit around nicely between the terminal post and the relevant lead. Perhaps i need something else other than the PP218. This is just a query . Thanks. Scope is a 3223,
Peter

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Robski
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by Robski »

Peter

When i measure parasitic drains i take the neg lead off & use a fly lead with strong croc clips between batt post & terminal then the clamp goes round the fly lead.

I use the preset amps scale,if when the amperage is dropping low enough i may change the scale to mV.

Dave Hill
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Re: Parasitic drain

Post by Dave Hill »

Hi Peter

Here is an example of what you are trying to achieve....

http://www.picoauto.com/tutorials/batte ... oblem.html

This was performed with the PP264 60 A Current Clamp that came bundled with my Automotive kit.

I used the same "fly lead" method that Rob mentioned.

When I doubt or question my test results, I try to challenge the equipment. In the case of battery discharge testing, I find it useful to turn on a "consumer" such as the headlights, if only to confirm that my measuring device is working correctly.

"Test your test methods" is something that I have learned the hard way.

HTH

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