![]() ![]() The easiest way to find and fix a parasitic drain is by trial and error. ![]() It is best to attend to the problem immediately. ![]() Every time the voltage drops below a certain level in a lead acid battery permanent damage could occur. ![]() The important thing is to identify what caused the drain and correct it so that the drain won’t happen again. But when the parasitic drain is caused by another electronic device, there is no outward or visible sign that something is wrong.Ī parasitic drain that caused a battery to die does not really do lasting damage to a battery if it happens only once. Parasitic DrainĪ parasitic drain is difficult to pinpoint since you only notice that something is wrong when the battery is almost dead, except maybe if the cause of the drain is a headlight left on. In a freezing temperature, the capacity of a lead acid battery is reduced by almost 20%, that is why for every amp count the lower the temperature drops. This will be a big advantage in freezing weather when the available cranking amperage is less. Always keep the battery fully charged and the electrical connections clean. A continuously weak electrolyte is an indicator that the battery is dying or has reached its retirement age. Always check the strength of the electrolyte using a refractometer or hydrometer. Low level of the electrolyte has a negative effect on the performance of the battery.Ģ. The electrolyte in a battery has a tendency to evaporate because of heat. During the hot summer months, keep the electrolyte topped off. If the cause of the drain is not human error, you will need the help of a mechanic to determine the cause.ġ. If your battery is dead most of the time and your car won’t start, maybe you should look into getting a replacement for your battery.Ī battery that won’t hold a charge is a pain in the neck, and assessing the cause of the problem can be difficult. Customarily, batteries should be replaced after every 4 or 5 years. If you consistently have a dead battery, it could be that it is worn out. Old BatteryĪn old battery normally could no longer hold a full charge. The defective diode can continue to charge the circuit even when the engine is off, resulting in a dead battery in the morning. If the alternator has a defective diode, the battery is drained, and it will die. IN so doing, it also recharges the battery. Damaged Alternator DiodeĪlternators provide power to run the electrical systems of a car such as the ignition, starter, and all the other electronic devices in a car. You will need a mechanic to solve this problem for you. Even if you give your battery a boost, the drain will persist because of bad charging. What makes the drain problem worse is when car electrical systems such as the sound and lighting system and other electronic devices draw power from the alternator. When the battery is not charged properly because of a faulty charging system, your battery can be discharged even when you are driving. When, however, there is an electrical problem, the drain on the battery can be excessive thus the battery dies. Some parasitic drain, however, is normal such as when the battery provides power to keep some electronic devices running continuously, such as radio presets, clock and security alarm. Frequently, this is due to a short circuit or an electrical device that has not been turned off such as the headlights or an open trunk, both of which could be due to human error. Parasitic drain is defined as a continuous abnormal power discharge even after the engine is turned off. Modern cars give out an alarm when you leave the lights on, but maybe not so for other electronic systems or components. The battery is drained overnight, and when you start the car in the morning, it won’t start. You park the car and forget to turn off the headlights or maybe left the trunk not completely closed. Many of us are guilty of this, not only once, but maybe even several times - you arrive home from work exhausted. Some of these issues are easy to remedy and can be done on your own, but some might need the help of a mechanic. The reasons why a battery is drained even if the engine is off are numerous. ![]()
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