From: Skenny@highstream.invalid   
      
   Charles wrote:   
   > "Tony P"  wrote in message   
   > news:12wii.127283$hj5.123226@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...   
   >   
   >>I have done what you suggested and I have a reading of 0.39A   
   >>I do not know if this is excessive for a car.   
   >>The problem is intermittent and at the moment there does not seem to be   
   >>anything wrong (touch wood). I will wait for the problem to return and try   
   >>again.   
   >>"Jasen Betts"  wrote in message   
   >>news:f6ahfh$p58$2@jasen.is-a-geek.org...   
   >>   
   >>>On 2007-07-01, Tony P  wrote:   
   >>>   
   >>>>I want to check the current that my car is using whilst at rest (brand   
   >>>>new   
   >>>>battery goes flat over two days).   
   >>>>Will a multimeter be of use and if so what range would I need to use?   
   >>>   
   >>>Start on 10A and work down if it reads 0,   
   >>>   
   >>>   
   >>>>Battery is 55ah   
   >   
   >   
   > 0.39A x 48 h = 18.7 Ah   
   >   
   > That's too much  standby drain.  If you go on a week-long trip, your battery   
   > is going to be very dead.   
   >   
   >   
   Make sure you dont have a under-the-hood light that is on when you take   
   the measurement. 390 ma is just about what that lamp would draw.   
   I think the lamp works with a level switch, hood up, light on, hood   
   down, light off-- I would start there, make sure the light is not   
   staying on when the hood is shut. (If you have one of those lights, not   
   all cars do.)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)