RJM27
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Is there a constant 24 volt draw on the 803a battery's???
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803a 24volt draw
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Do you mean when off?
RJM27
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Yes, I know my 003 does have a draw when off and I have my solar pulse charger wired accordingly! I'm not getting that spark on my 803 with last cable to battery but lost some charge in batteries while idle for 2 weeks and batteries are newer!!
You shouldn't have any draw when off. I only start my personal units every 6 months and never have an issue. As CapePrep stated, the alternator is usually the root cause of excessive battery drain due to internal diode shorting. You can rebuild them for less than $40 and its simple to do.
RJM27
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Copy that!! Thanks
RJM27
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Thank you, will trouble shoot when I get back home!!! What will I be looking for on my meter, as far as volts/amps??? I know enough to get in trouble so all help and suggestion are welcome and appreciated!!
Kenny0
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could also use a small 24 volt bulb instead a of a meter. Some meters have a max of milliamps or just a few amps, using a small bulb could protect your meter. If there is current flow (bulb can just glow red) then disconnect alternator wires and test again. If no current flow, then it is the alternator. Like above, most likely a bad diode.
edit: Also, don't assume the battery(s) are good just because they are not very old.
edit: Also, don't assume the battery(s) are good just because they are not very old.
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You can also safeguard your batteries by putting in a battery disconnect switch. The solar charger will continue to work.
Kenny0
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Your solar charger could also be causing your problem. Battery disconnects have a lot of positives, but also have some negatives. If you have a bad or leaking battery it won't help. It would cover up a leaky diode in the alternator. If the diode keeps getting worse and probably will, it will burn out the stator in the alternator and cost more in the end. None of my personal equipment have disconnects.
RJM27
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Have negative disconnected read 11.9 volts amps settle down to .06-.05??
Triple Jim
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Those 50 or 60 milliamps will fully discharge a battery that size in about 42 days, assuming it's in good condition. I'm assuming the batteries have about a 50 amp-hour capacity. Something definitely seems to be drawing excessive current when the unit is off.
RJM27
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Made no difference what was or was not hooked up! I might of made mistake # 1 bought inexpensive (cheap) Wally World batteries!!!
QUOTE=RJM27;2109430]Have negative disconnected read 11.9 volts amps settle down to .06-.05??[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=RJM27;2109430]Have negative disconnected read 11.9 volts amps settle down to .06-.05??[/QUOTE]
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You need to disconnect the positive cable and leave the negative on. Measure the resistance from positive cable(not battery terminal) to ground, then reverse the leads and see if that resistance changes.
A shorted diode in the alternator will read a low resistance in both directions. A good diode/s will read high in one direction and low in the other.
Be sure panel lights are off and disconnect charging device too.
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[/QUOTE]
You can have the battery load tested to eliminate that as the problem. If the battery has an internal short it will discharge itself and will not sustain a load test.
Try that then test for other drains, like the alternator/diode pack.
RJM27
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Will take a couple of days to free up time, will be next step!! I bought 2 value pack 21-6 from Wally 12-08-2018? Cold hard winter and some use as well! Hopefully there lies the problem! Originally was going to sell the 803 trailer mounted! Fell in love decided to keep her! Will need advice on correct batteries! Thanks to all
You can have the battery load tested to eliminate that as the problem. If the battery has an internal short it will discharge itself and will not sustain a load test.
Try that then test for other drains, like the alternator/diode pack.[/QUOTE]
You can have the battery load tested to eliminate that as the problem. If the battery has an internal short it will discharge itself and will not sustain a load test.
Try that then test for other drains, like the alternator/diode pack.[/QUOTE]
Triple Jim
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You can read discharge current by disconnecting either the ground or the positive battery lead, but you need to use caution, because a meter set to read milliamps will blow a fuse if you accidentally draw a high current.
Walmart batteries are not necessarily low quality. The two in my MEP-003A are 5-1/2 years old now, and still crank the engine nicely.
Walmart batteries are not necessarily low quality. The two in my MEP-003A are 5-1/2 years old now, and still crank the engine nicely.
RJM27
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I'm still lost, according to my panel meter they are not charging. The batteries load tested ok. Is there a way of reading the alternator to see if it is producing 24 volts or if they are charging. ???