Parasitic drain-Where to look?

[Lownslowlsc]

Well it's that time of year again where this issue pops up. When I put a new battery in last spring it seemed to stay steady at 12.45v. It's hovering around 12.25v after sitting a day now. I charge it up on a charger and it's full at 12.87v but is back to the normal v the next day. My alt is new(spring) and is steady at 14.0-1v w/ loads applied, 14.3v once warmed up.

I've known about this potential issue but was hoping it was my old alt at fault. That one was charging in the 13.5~ w/o a load and high 12's with loads.

So am I missing something? It appears the batt's getting weak again. What are some area's to look at for a drain? Factory alarm ect....

 

[Roadboss]

Trunk lights on, and factory alarm.

 

[SATURN5]

in the bed next to you.....

 

[My Great 8]

Why don't you buy one of those battery tenders? I have a friend in New Jersey with a Miata. She leaves it outside under a cover for the winter. She puts the tender on and has never had a battery problem since.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Trunk lights on, and factory alarm.

The trunk light turns off. I've left it undriven for 2-3 days and it starts right up. I would think it'd be dead if the light was on that whole time.

in the bed next to you.....

Nice one

Why don't you buy one of those battery tenders? I have a friend in New Jersey with a Miata. She leaves it outside under a cover for the winter. She puts the tender on and has never had a battery problem since.

I do have a charger/maintainer @ 1.5a. I charged her up and it got to 12.87v. Unpluged it and it dropped back to the level it was before. Forget how long it took but was no longer then 2 days.

 

[97 Octane]

Yes ,when your voltage drops back down like that, its a good sign that
the battery is done for.

If I were in your situation (which I was with my '97), I would replace
the battery. Your battery is suffering internally from calsification. Replacing
your battery now will save your alternator from early retirement.

Off topic: I can't wait to see and hear what you have in mind for the two
18's.





Ren

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Thanks Octane. I've been using the same battery warranty for the last 7 years, so it'll get replaced free in the coming weeks after it gets a taste of the coldness. Then I'll take it to my buddy to have him run a p draw test.

The 18's are gunna be nutz. They were the best sq 18's back in the day. Those 2 words aren't used in the same sentence very often. The price I got them for (new) will make you piss your pant's.

 

[micahs97m8]

I had a constant drain on my 97 black/black lsc. After paying only $500 for it, I decided to part it out. Finally found the leak behind the dash. Whoever did the blend door swap, pinched a wire and it was grounding out between the dash and the metal behind it. I can't remember which wire it was though.

 

[Big Mike]

So, upgrading to 18's, and components ran off the deck? Can you even hear the vocals? =)

I am sure you have a plan! Not trying to judge!

My two 12's with ~1kw can drown out my 3-way components up front with ~100rms per channel on them, I am going to install rear fill for when I want to jam out, when the windows are down and I'm going 60 imaging and placement can kiss my ass. As a SQ guy, SPL is growing on me again and I'm alot better at it now than when I was a teen! I cannot stand all bass and no mid/hi. 1000 watts on a pair of 12's isn't really SPL, but it's more than I'd normally run...

 

[Lownslowlsc]

I had a constant drain on my 97 black/black lsc. After paying only $500 for it, I decided to part it out. Finally found the leak behind the dash. Whoever did the blend door swap, pinched a wire and it was grounding out between the dash and the metal behind it. I can't remember which wire it was though.

Pretty sure I had the problem before I did the bda so it shouldn't be that.

So, upgrading to 18's, and components ran off the deck? Can you even hear the vocals? =)

I am sure you have a plan! Not trying to judge!

My two 12's with ~1kw can drown out my 3-way components up front with ~100rms per channel on them, I am going to install rear fill for when I want to jam out, when the windows are down and I'm going 60 imaging and placement can kiss my ass. As a SQ guy, SPL is growing on me again and I'm alot better at it now than when I was a teen! I cannot stand all bass and no mid/hi. 1000 watts on a pair of 12's isn't really SPL, but it's more than I'd normally run...

lol, that's def the weakest link in the system. But to be honest, I have my 8 band set flat for the most part and the tweets are -3 on xover so I have plenty of wiggle room upwards w/o distortion(I tried). The only thing it lacks is that midbass.
That being said, if they can't keep up and I decide to keep the 18's for a while i'll get a 4ch.

I'm not new to the game. I've had 2500rms+ systems before, been there done that type of thing. At this point in my life it's more about simplicity. Yes, I know 18's arent "simple" but it's the only size I haven't tried.

 

[Big Mike]

Wasn't implying you were new, I've read your audio posts, it appears you are not a nublet =). I was just a little shaky about 18s and no other amplified speakers. I cannot imagine that working out!

 

[97 Octane]

Is there a wall in the future?


How about tens in the kicks for your mB?







Ren

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Wasn't implying you were new, I've read your audio posts, it appears you are not a nublet =). I was just a little shaky about 18s and no other amplified speakers. I cannot imagine that working out!

Understand completley.

Is there a wall in the future?


How about tens in the kicks for your mB?

At first that's what I wanted to do, but more of a good looking half wall. Jl reccomends sealed @1.75 per @ 19x19x12 . They don't list box specs and don't recommend running it ported. From putting the specs into box building software people have found that some bigger ported and 4th orders really let you get the most out of them. But for now i'm thinking roughly a 4-5cf box. I'm still pondering box ideas though. They should come in today or 2mara so i'll have a better idea then.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Ok, back to the ot. What are some other areas that could be susceptible to p-drains?

 

[chris2523]

well the factory amp, but i bet you don't have that anymore. lol.

 

[Stangman]

I dont know if its been covered or youve checked it yet or not, but have you tried your sunvisors? I know mustangs were bad for that, maybe yours are also staying on.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

well the factory amp, but i bet you don't have that anymore. lol.

No Factory amp

I dont know if its been covered or youve checked it yet or not, but have you tried your sunvisors? I know mustangs were bad for that, maybe yours are also staying on.

I haven't really checked anything. I know it's not any part of the stereo. I can let it sit for a while and be fine, ex: drive it friday and let it sit all weekend and be fine monday.