3032e battery drain

Coyote machine · Feb 22, 2018

I missed Jax's post by about three minutes. Again, he is right about the draw down values are way too low to drain your battery, especially one that is new, AND fully functional.
If you have access to another VOM, use it instead of your current one, and retest tomorrow, the draw down at the negative battery side, as you did today.

Your old battery was dead. Your 'new' battery keeps dying, and so far we all have not found anything that indicates why.

Verifying that the new battery is not defective makes sense. So, do what Jaxs outlined, and if indications point to it might be defective then have it load tested an hour or more after charging it fully.

If it fails a load test get another battery. What brand battery did you purchase, and what are it's specs, CCA, etc.

There is also a possibility your alternator has a flaky/intermittent diode, or set of diodes in your bridge rectifier, but let's consider this after the battery condition is verified.

JDLJr · Feb 23, 2018

Coyote machine said:
I missed Jax's post by about three minutes. Again, he is right about the draw down values are way too low to drain your battery, especially one that is new, AND fully functional.
If you have access to another VOM, use it instead of your current one, and retest tomorrow, the draw down at the negative battery side, as you did today.

Your old battery was dead. Your 'new' battery keeps dying, and so far we all have not found anything that indicates why.

Verifying that the new battery is not defective makes sense. So, do what Jaxs outlined, and if indications point to it might be defective then have it load tested an hour or more after charging it fully.

If it fails a load test get another battery. What brand battery did you purchase, and what are it's specs, CCA, etc.

There is also a possibility your alternator has a flaky/intermittent diode, or set of diodes in your bridge rectifier, but let's consider this after the battery condition is verified.

I left the battery fully attached last night. The temp reached 28 degrees. I just went out to start the tractor (32 deg. outside) and it started right up. It has not kept a charge overnight since the problem began. I hauled in the empty trash cans.
I have guarded optimism that we have solved the problem. We are leaving tomorrow for a 2 week thaw in Cabo San Lucas. I will leave the battery attached and test and report on my return.
In the mean time I watn to thank all of you for your help and expertise and patience.
Jim

Coyote machine · Feb 23, 2018

Cool! Maybe you got lucky and solved a greater drain that has now been reduced to acceptable limits. You might want to try to run the tractor for more than 10 minutes at a time, especially during winter to help keep the battery charged. Essentially you want to keep it charged to 80% or greater at all times. If you can't do that look at a Battery Tender charging unit to keep it topped up. When I'm gone from home I disconnect the negative cable from the battery post, AFTER having fully charged the battery with the tender. I'm gone to the sun/water for 3 months/yr. and it certainly helps keep the batteries from draining down over that time.
Let us know what state of charge you find BEFORE trying to start your tractor when you return. Have fun- don't burn off your skin!

JDLJr · Feb 23, 2018

Coyote machine said:
Cool! Maybe you got lucky and solved a greater drain that has now been reduced to acceptable limits. You might want to try to run the tractor for more than 10 minutes at a time, especially during winter to help keep the battery charged. Essentially you want to keep it charged to 80% or greater at all times. If you can't do that look at a Battery Tender charging unit to keep it topped up. When I'm gone from home I disconnect the negative cable from the battery post, AFTER having fully charged the battery with the tender. I'm gone to the sun/water for 3 months/yr. and it certainly helps keep the batteries from draining down over that time.
Let us know what state of charge you find BEFORE trying to start your tractor when you return. Have fun- don't burn off your skin!

Good point on running for more that 10 minutes. I considered unhooking the negative but I want to really put it to a test. I will let you know when I return before I start it.
I am a shade seeker but love the warmth. I hate to burn.
Thanks again...

Ford850 · Feb 23, 2018

It could be you had a loose connection and you fixed it, or possibly you still have a corroded cable that's hidden inside the insulation. Sometime those cables look like new but the cable inside is corroded and cracked, conducting occasionally when moved.

JDLJr · Mar 19, 2018

Ford850 said:
It could be you had a loose connection and you fixed it, or possibly you still have a corroded cable that's hidden inside the insulation. Sometime those cables look like new but the cable inside is corroded and cracked, conducting occasionally when moved.

I have been back from vacation for 1 week and I want to report that my 3032E is starting and holding a charge daily. I want to thank all of you that offered your help and ideas. You knowledge and willingness to help is much appreciated.

jaxs · Mar 19, 2018

JDLJr said:
I have been back from vacation for 1 week and I want to report that my 3032E is starting and holding a charge daily. I want to thank all of you that offered your help and ideas. You knowledge and willingness to help is much appreciated.

That's great news. If the problem come's back,I suggest posting back to this thread so that everyone has the back story. Hopfully there is no farther problem but if so it point's to one of the wires unplugged while testing having insulation rubbed through and shorting to ground. The movement/change in wire position could have made the difference.