Huge battery drain issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**longblue72** · 09-05-2013, 06:08 PM

Just recently I've started to have a big drain of my battery. I'll say this first, its a brand new battery, I've went through three alternators. ( two were remanufactored incorrectly from advanced and one is a one wire) thinking that my alternator wasnt doing its job. But the one wire is and with a DVOM it shows the battery charging around 13.5 volts.

My main Question to try and solve this battery drain issue is what have you guys found that gave you this problem? Is there something that seems to keep coming up with everyone? Things to check first? Any help is greatly appreciated because this is my daily, and its really frustrating having the battery be stone cold dead after one day of work each day.

Bigdav160 · 09-05-2013, 06:27 PM

To discharge a new battery overnight is going to require around a 5 amp drain.

That is significant. With the little bit of electrical equipment these truck have you should be able to see it. Something like the brake lights staying on, a stereo+amp not powering down, or possibly a horn that is stuck on that is also bad so it doesn't make a sound.

**longblue72** · 09-05-2013, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the fast reply. Yeah it is tremendously fast. And its dead to the point where my dome light doesn't light up.

cleszkie · 09-05-2013, 06:40 PM

You said that you used a one-wire alternator so I'm assuming that it was an internally regulated unit. Just confirm whether you still use a voltage regulator or not. If you do, this may be were the problem lies. They are known to cause charging and discharging issues when they go bad.

**longblue72** · 09-05-2013, 06:47 PM

Woops, it is internally regulated now.

**truckdude239** · 09-05-2013, 07:33 PM

unplug your horn relay under the dash and see if it does it

Daaaanz67 · 09-05-2013, 07:48 PM

Disconnect you negative battery cable. Place a test light between cable and negative post. Pull fuses till test light goes out. That will isolate which circuit is pulling current. Oh yeah the test light should glow pretty bright with that much current draw when you first hook up the test light.
Posted via Mobile Device

**71swb4x4** · 09-05-2013, 07:59 PM

Do what Dan says. I would start by unhooking the alternator. If that's the only item you have changed in this equation then it would be suspect.
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 09-05-2013, 08:05 PM

Pull the one wire out and trade it back in for a SI alternator. Lots better in charging and a lot better all around. Follow the instructions in the electrical section.

09-05-2013, 06:08 PM	#1
longblue72 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ellicott city maryland Posts: 152	Huge battery drain issue Just recently I've started to have a big drain of my battery. I'll say this first, its a brand new battery, I've went through three alternators. ( two were remanufactored incorrectly from advanced and one is a one wire) thinking that my alternator wasnt doing its job. But the one wire is and with a DVOM it shows the battery charging around 13.5 volts. My main Question to try and solve this battery drain issue is what have you guys found that gave you this problem? Is there something that seems to keep coming up with everyone? Things to check first? Any help is greatly appreciated because this is my daily, and its really frustrating having the battery be stone cold dead after one day of work each day.

09-05-2013, 06:27 PM	#2
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Huge battery drain issue To discharge a new battery overnight is going to require around a 5 amp drain. That is significant. With the little bit of electrical equipment these truck have you should be able to see it. Something like the brake lights staying on, a stereo+amp not powering down, or possibly a horn that is stuck on that is also bad so it doesn't make a sound. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

09-05-2013, 06:32 PM	#3
longblue72 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ellicott city maryland Posts: 152	Re: Huge battery drain issue Thanks for the fast reply. Yeah it is tremendously fast. And its dead to the point where my dome light doesn't light up.

09-05-2013, 06:40 PM	#4
cleszkie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Ana, CA Posts: 2,191	Re: Huge battery drain issue You said that you used a one-wire alternator so I'm assuming that it was an internally regulated unit. Just confirm whether you still use a voltage regulator or not. If you do, this may be were the problem lies. They are known to cause charging and discharging issues when they go bad.

09-05-2013, 06:47 PM	#5
longblue72 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ellicott city maryland Posts: 152	Re: Huge battery drain issue Woops, it is internally regulated now.

09-05-2013, 07:33 PM	#6
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Huge battery drain issue unplug your horn relay under the dash and see if it does it __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

09-05-2013, 07:48 PM	#7
Daaaanz67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 857	Re: Huge battery drain issue Disconnect you negative battery cable. Place a test light between cable and negative post. Pull fuses till test light goes out. That will isolate which circuit is pulling current. Oh yeah the test light should glow pretty bright with that much current draw when you first hook up the test light. Posted via Mobile Device

09-05-2013, 07:59 PM	#8
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,499	Re: Huge battery drain issue Do what Dan says. I would start by unhooking the alternator. If that's the only item you have changed in this equation then it would be suspect. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

09-05-2013, 08:05 PM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Huge battery drain issue Pull the one wire out and trade it back in for a SI alternator. Lots better in charging and a lot better all around. Follow the instructions in the electrical section. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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