How to check 4020 electrical system

[ScottGrund]

Have a 24 volt 4020 system that keeps draining the batteries. I'm not super saavy on electrical systems but have meter in hand and would like to know how to go about seeing what is draining these batteries between use.

 

[Tanqwa]

Remember always check the basics first, ie - batt is fine, watter level, fully charged, terminals clean and tight, alternator charging at correct voltage. Check EARTH connection, lotsa electrical problems are caused by bad earth connections, ie - disco lights when indicator or brake is applied.

In your case - make sure everything is switched off, select the dc amp setting on your meter, loosen your positive terminal on the batt, connect the meter in series between the batt terminal and cable. If you have a reading take out the fuses one by one untill the reading drops or dissapear. Remember things like a clock, 2 way radio and electronic acc with memory always draw a little current.

You can also fit a cutt-off switch in the posistive cable from the batt to completely switch off all electrics. Hope this will help

 

[jenkinsph]

Alot would depend on what kind of meter you have?

I would use a good quality current clamp capable of metering dc. Such as a Fluke 336 or better, then with current clamp on one battery at a time I would remove the fuses until the draw was reduced.



edit: see this was answered while typing, for the most part it looks like we agree on the method anyway.

 

[Tanqwa]

Yip jenkinsph, but remember i'm from south africa! Fancy tools are very expensive here, we are still way behind the rest of the world.LOL.

I made a box with an amp and voltmeter and long wires with med size crocodile clamps when i troubleshoot electrics, just easier to use than a meter with short leads.

Scott - Also visually check your batteries for any signs off bulging on the sides, useally a sign off a batt on the go, also cut your fuel/ign and let some-one crank the engine for a few secondes while checking inside the battries for any boiling cells, if so you have a bad cell.

Why does Alzheimers gets better with age but we get worse? just a thought! Should have mentioned this in the first post.....hmmm