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.

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.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

sharx333 wrote:
> 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.
>
well, first, you have to eliminate the battery as a problem - if it's
draining itself, it's no good.

after that, 170mA is a 2W bulb at 12V [hence bulb glow]. that drain
seems high for the ecu memory [what you'd have left after disconnecting
the audio.] i'd continue looking for leakage. check both sets of fuses
pulling each one individually and connect the meter probes between the
slots.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

sharx333 wrote:
> 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.
>
well, first, you have to eliminate the battery as a problem - if it's
draining itself, it's no good.

after that, 170mA is a 2W bulb at 12V [hence bulb glow]. that drain
seems high for the ecu memory [what you'd have left after disconnecting
the audio.] i'd continue looking for leakage. check both sets of fuses
pulling each one individually and connect the meter probes between the
slots.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

sharx333 wrote:
> 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.
>
well, first, you have to eliminate the battery as a problem - if it's
draining itself, it's no good.

after that, 170mA is a 2W bulb at 12V [hence bulb glow]. that drain
seems high for the ecu memory [what you'd have left after disconnecting
the audio.] i'd continue looking for leakage. check both sets of fuses
pulling each one individually and connect the meter probes between the
slots.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

sharx333 wrote:
> 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.
>
well, first, you have to eliminate the battery as a problem - if it's
draining itself, it's no good.

after that, 170mA is a 2W bulb at 12V [hence bulb glow]. that drain
seems high for the ecu memory [what you'd have left after disconnecting
the audio.] i'd continue looking for leakage. check both sets of fuses
pulling each one individually and connect the meter probes between the
slots.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

Ok. Thanks for the heads-up.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

Ok. Thanks for the heads-up.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

Ok. Thanks for the heads-up.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

Ok. Thanks for the heads-up.

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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)

That might be a low wattage lamp, and glow brightly at a low current draw.
A stoplight bulb is a better choice, perhaps. I could look at autozone.com
to find the dome light bulb number, and then sylvania.com for the bulb
specs, but I think you found your culprit.

> 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).

I think you are indicating that 170mA made the bulb glow dimly, and the
Pioneer made it bright. That's not good. The pioneer should only draw a
few milliamps in standby. There should be a figure in the manual.
There should also be a standby control on the Pioneer.

A voltage supplied to the Pioneer that is always on is expected to be a
heavy current feed for the amplifier, that also draws a tiny amount of
power in standby. There should be another switched control that comes on
with the radio or ignition that cause the Pioneer to turn on its
amplifiers. I think yours is switched on all the time.

Or maybe not... ;-) Check the manual for some specs on the Pioneer.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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)

That might be a low wattage lamp, and glow brightly at a low current draw.
A stoplight bulb is a better choice, perhaps. I could look at autozone.com
to find the dome light bulb number, and then sylvania.com for the bulb
specs, but I think you found your culprit.

> 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).

I think you are indicating that 170mA made the bulb glow dimly, and the
Pioneer made it bright. That's not good. The pioneer should only draw a
few milliamps in standby. There should be a figure in the manual.
There should also be a standby control on the Pioneer.

A voltage supplied to the Pioneer that is always on is expected to be a
heavy current feed for the amplifier, that also draws a tiny amount of
power in standby. There should be another switched control that comes on
with the radio or ignition that cause the Pioneer to turn on its
amplifiers. I think yours is switched on all the time.

Or maybe not... ;-) Check the manual for some specs on the Pioneer.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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)

That might be a low wattage lamp, and glow brightly at a low current draw.
A stoplight bulb is a better choice, perhaps. I could look at autozone.com
to find the dome light bulb number, and then sylvania.com for the bulb
specs, but I think you found your culprit.

> 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).

I think you are indicating that 170mA made the bulb glow dimly, and the
Pioneer made it bright. That's not good. The pioneer should only draw a
few milliamps in standby. There should be a figure in the manual.
There should also be a standby control on the Pioneer.

A voltage supplied to the Pioneer that is always on is expected to be a
heavy current feed for the amplifier, that also draws a tiny amount of
power in standby. There should be another switched control that comes on
with the radio or ignition that cause the Pioneer to turn on its
amplifiers. I think yours is switched on all the time.

Or maybe not... ;-) Check the manual for some specs on the Pioneer.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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)

That might be a low wattage lamp, and glow brightly at a low current draw.
A stoplight bulb is a better choice, perhaps. I could look at autozone.com
to find the dome light bulb number, and then sylvania.com for the bulb
specs, but I think you found your culprit.

> 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).

I think you are indicating that 170mA made the bulb glow dimly, and the
Pioneer made it bright. That's not good. The pioneer should only draw a
few milliamps in standby. There should be a figure in the manual.
There should also be a standby control on the Pioneer.

A voltage supplied to the Pioneer that is always on is expected to be a
heavy current feed for the amplifier, that also draws a tiny amount of
power in standby. There should be another switched control that comes on
with the radio or ignition that cause the Pioneer to turn on its
amplifiers. I think yours is switched on all the time.

Or maybe not... ;-) Check the manual for some specs on the Pioneer.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

Re: Parasitic Drain - Bulb Trick
 

dold@XReXXParas.usenet.us.com wrote:
> In rec.autos.makers.honda sharx333 <emil.santos@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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)
>
> That might be a low wattage lamp, and glow brightly at a low current draw.
> A stoplight bulb is a better choice, perhaps. I could look at autozone.com
> to find the dome light bulb number, and then sylvania.com for the bulb
> specs, but I think you found your culprit.
>
>> 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).
>
> I think you are indicating that 170mA made the bulb glow dimly, and the
> Pioneer made it bright. That's not good. The pioneer should only draw a
> few milliamps in standby. There should be a figure in the manual.
> There should also be a standby control on the Pioneer.
>
> A voltage supplied to the Pioneer that is always on is expected to be a
> heavy current feed for the amplifier, that also draws a tiny amount of
> power in standby. There should be another switched control that comes on
> with the radio or ignition that cause the Pioneer to turn on its
> amplifiers. I think yours is switched on all the time.
>
> Or maybe not... ;-) Check the manual for some specs on the Pioneer.
>
but the 170mA is /after/ the audio is disconnected! yes, the audio
needs to be addressed, but there's still unusually high residual drain.