How to check if there is draw on battery? Options

[nitemare]

Hi,

I purchased a Craftsman Digital Multimeter with AC Voltage Detector:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?...0383&AFFL=Y

Now, I want to test my car battery to see if there is a draw when its off.

I watched someone else do it.

I believe he took neg lead off batter. Connected one end of multimeter to battery neg post - then clipped on other end to any part of car. Light was on - which indicated a draw. The light was always on even after pulling fuses out.

Is this the correct way to test? Please see the multilmeter I purchased and let me know how you would test for a battery draw.

Thanks!!

[nitemare]

After further research - it seems I need to:

1) Turn off everything
2) Set multimeter to amperage
3) Disconnect negative lead cable
4) Connect one ammeter lead to the negative battery post
5) Connect the other ammeter lead to the negative lead cable

Normal current drain on most vehicles should be about 25 milliamps or less

Let me know exactly which settings and and how I connect leads to this meter. I see 3 different inputs on this meter (10A/COM/V)
Im guessing I need to connect leads to 2 of those ports- Would it be 10A and COM or the COM and V port?
Set Dial to Adc, 10A?

This post has been edited by nitemare: Mar 4, 2007 - 11:48 AM

[eliaz]

The multimeter is fused, so the 10A means that it has a 10A fuse. I guess you have a 200 mA fuse where you have the VΩmA port. So, connect the red lead to the 10A port first to check if the draw is higher than 200mA, if not, you can connect the red lead to the 200 mA port. The black lead goes to port COM. Set the dial on the multimeter to ADC 10A first. You can clamp the black lead to the battery negative post, and the red one to the negative lead cable. Then start pulling fuses and you can see wich circuit that has the draw. Hope this helps