Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
Just wanted to ask:
Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
"normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
Thanks!
Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
"normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
Thanks!
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
"sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in news:1163212200.212648.320350
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
"sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in news:1163212200.212648.320350
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
"sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in news:1163212200.212648.320350
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
"sharx333" <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote in news:1163212200.212648.320350
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
See the relevant page at Bill Darden's excellent Battery FAQ:
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq10.htm
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
sharx333 wrote:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
sharx333 wrote:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
sharx333 wrote:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
sharx333 wrote:
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
> Just wanted to ask:
>
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
>
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
>
> Thanks!
>
sure, but it depends on the bulb and the drain!!! if you describe your
problem, maybe we can address that question better?
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
> Is the "light bulb" test (putting a 12v bulb in series with the battery
> circuit) an accurate test for a parasitic drain? My ammeter only goes
> up to 0.25A, and I don't want to risk overloading the meter.
I had a light bulb that was a parasitic drain, once.
I thought I just had a dying battery. It was a little sluggish starting
sometimes, and dead if I didn't drive it every day.
I bought a new battery, and that made things much better, and then it was
dead again after it sat for a few days.
I charged it up, got in, and noticed a strange glow on the floor. At first
I thought it was a street light, then I realized that the glove box light
was on. The switch had gotten knocked out of it's mounting. I didn't see
the dim light under daytime conditions, and only happened to notice it at
night.
> How bright should the bulb light up, if it should at all, for a
> "normal" drain? (clock, ECU, radio memory)
I would say that a dual filament 1157 bulb should glow dimly. If it is at
all bright, that is a pretty good load. At full brightness:
bright filament: 12.8V, 26.9W, 2.10A (R=V/I=12.8/2.1=6.1 ohms)
dim filament: 14.0V, 8.3W, 0.59A (R=24 ohms)
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
Sure, jim. And thanks.
Last week, the battery drained overnight on my '95 Civic 1.6L. I took
the battery to be recharged at a shop, and we found that the water
level was low. But I suspected a "ground" somewhere, because I had just
sprayed the engine with a degreaser and rinsed it (low pressure garden
hose).
Since my ammeter only goes up to 0.25A (250 mA), and I read on some
posts that the current could go over 1A, I tried the bulb trick first.
I don't know the exact rating of the bulb (aftermarket dome/trunk
light), but it glowed brightly. (All doors/trunk was closed, key off)
I tried pulling underhood fuses and even disconnecting the alternator,
with no result. Then I tried pulling the cabin fuses, and I found that
it was the Pioneer head unit that was pulling most of the power (for
the preset memory, I guess).
When I disconnected the radio, the bulb was finally very dim. I tried
the ammeter and expected less than 80 mA (from the battery FAQ link,
thanks to TeGGer). But I still got 170 mA or so. I've checked all the
possible bulbs, and I think a bulb would pull more than that.
I finally concluded that there was no parasitic drain at all, but I'm
puzzled as to what could be making that extra load.
Last week, the battery drained overnight on my '95 Civic 1.6L. I took
the battery to be recharged at a shop, and we found that the water
level was low. But I suspected a "ground" somewhere, because I had just
sprayed the engine with a degreaser and rinsed it (low pressure garden
hose).
Since my ammeter only goes up to 0.25A (250 mA), and I read on some
posts that the current could go over 1A, I tried the bulb trick first.
I don't know the exact rating of the bulb (aftermarket dome/trunk
light), but it glowed brightly. (All doors/trunk was closed, key off)
I tried pulling underhood fuses and even disconnecting the alternator,
with no result. Then I tried pulling the cabin fuses, and I found that
it was the Pioneer head unit that was pulling most of the power (for
the preset memory, I guess).
When I disconnected the radio, the bulb was finally very dim. I tried
the ammeter and expected less than 80 mA (from the battery FAQ link,
thanks to TeGGer). But I still got 170 mA or so. I've checked all the
possible bulbs, and I think a bulb would pull more than that.
I finally concluded that there was no parasitic drain at all, but I'm
puzzled as to what could be making that extra load.
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
Sure, jim. And thanks.
Last week, the battery drained overnight on my '95 Civic 1.6L. I took
the battery to be recharged at a shop, and we found that the water
level was low. But I suspected a "ground" somewhere, because I had just
sprayed the engine with a degreaser and rinsed it (low pressure garden
hose).
Since my ammeter only goes up to 0.25A (250 mA), and I read on some
posts that the current could go over 1A, I tried the bulb trick first.
I don't know the exact rating of the bulb (aftermarket dome/trunk
light), but it glowed brightly. (All doors/trunk was closed, key off)
I tried pulling underhood fuses and even disconnecting the alternator,
with no result. Then I tried pulling the cabin fuses, and I found that
it was the Pioneer head unit that was pulling most of the power (for
the preset memory, I guess).
When I disconnected the radio, the bulb was finally very dim. I tried
the ammeter and expected less than 80 mA (from the battery FAQ link,
thanks to TeGGer). But I still got 170 mA or so. I've checked all the
possible bulbs, and I think a bulb would pull more than that.
I finally concluded that there was no parasitic drain at all, but I'm
puzzled as to what could be making that extra load.
Last week, the battery drained overnight on my '95 Civic 1.6L. I took
the battery to be recharged at a shop, and we found that the water
level was low. But I suspected a "ground" somewhere, because I had just
sprayed the engine with a degreaser and rinsed it (low pressure garden
hose).
Since my ammeter only goes up to 0.25A (250 mA), and I read on some
posts that the current could go over 1A, I tried the bulb trick first.
I don't know the exact rating of the bulb (aftermarket dome/trunk
light), but it glowed brightly. (All doors/trunk was closed, key off)
I tried pulling underhood fuses and even disconnecting the alternator,
with no result. Then I tried pulling the cabin fuses, and I found that
it was the Pioneer head unit that was pulling most of the power (for
the preset memory, I guess).
When I disconnected the radio, the bulb was finally very dim. I tried
the ammeter and expected less than 80 mA (from the battery FAQ link,
thanks to TeGGer). But I still got 170 mA or so. I've checked all the
possible bulbs, and I think a bulb would pull more than that.
I finally concluded that there was no parasitic drain at all, but I'm
puzzled as to what could be making that extra load.