On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:15:48 -0500, Skenny
wrote:

Charles wrote:
"Tony P" wrote in message
o.uk...

I have done what you suggested and I have a reading of 0.39A
I do not know if this is excessive for a car.
The problem is intermittent and at the moment there does not seem to be
anything wrong (touch wood). I will wait for the problem to return and try
again.
"Jasen Betts" wrote in message
...

On 2007-07-01, Tony P wrote:

I want to check the current that my car is using whilst at rest (brand
new
battery goes flat over two days).
Will a multimeter be of use and if so what range would I need to use?

Start on 10A and work down if it reads 0,


Battery is 55ah


0.39A x 48 h = 18.7 Ah

That's too much standby drain. If you go on a week-long trip, your battery
is going to be very dead.


Make sure you dont have a under-the-hood light that is on when you take
the measurement. 390 ma is just about what that lamp would draw.
I think the lamp works with a level switch, hood up, light on, hood
down, light off-- I would start there, make sure the light is not
staying on when the hood is shut. (If you have one of those lights, not
all cars do.)

---
Also, an in-trunk lamp with a broken switch.


--
JF