Battery Going Flat

[P4trol]

Another way is to disconnect all the small wires from the battery (with everything off).

Touch them individually to the battery. Any sparks indicate current draw. Although not scientific, a rough guide is

small orange sparks - small current draw
Larger orange sparks - more
Small blue sparks - more current
Larger blue sparks/audible click lots.

Now don't laugh at me, but it is a quick and easy way to work out which wires are worth a second look with a multimeter.

Another option is to put in a solar panel. A small type that plugs into the cigarette lighter might do. Any larger panels would need a solar regulator.

Another option is to refit the battery with another cranking battery. It will last twice as long then.

(and of course these options are merely masking the problem).

[K1W1]

If using the above method and yours is a petrol engined Patrol observe the usual precautions for welding on carburettors

[harrythomas]

I have been through all the fuses K1W1 and only found a small current on the radio/cd circuit which I think is normal.

I have no small wires left on the battery P4trol but thanks for the “rough guide” regarding the different sparks. Good for future reference. There was three small wires on the main battery when I purchased the vehicle but after this problem started I have tracked them back. They all went back into the cab then went nowhere so I have removed them. I think there has been some backyard wiring happening on this vehicle so I seems there is more to find yet.

[harrythomas]

Monday afternoon I discovered this

Wiring.JPG

behind the dash jammed between the all the wiring and the firewall. All the wires on it were cut off it except the power inlet which was hard wired into a circuit which remained live when the key was turned off.

It is now in the rubbish bin and the battery has held it charge since then.

Thanks for all your advice in trying to sort this out.

Harry.

[happygu]

Monday afternoon I discovered this

Wiring.JPG

behind the dash jammed between the all the wiring and the firewall. All the wires on it were cut off it except the power inlet which was hard wired into a circuit which remained live when the key was turned off.

It is now in the rubbish bin and the battery has held it charge since then.

Thanks for all your advice in trying to sort this out.

Harry.

Great work Harry, and good persistence too....

[graeme1969]

What is it?

[my third 256]

on board phone kit for nokia phone

[harrythomas]

Great work Harry, and good persistence too....

Thanks mate, and a few more grey hairs.