Re: Discharging Battery

Posted by Doug Linden on December 29, 1997 at 11:24:18

In Reply to: Discharging Battery
posted by Rick Black on December 26, 1997 at 20:18:14

: I agree with Rick B. (I'm ANOTHER Rick B) that you must check out the whole electrical system to find the short.Check the generator cutout first, as the points stick and cause battery drain.

: When you shut off the car, the ammeter should register zero; if not, you definitely have a problem.

: For long storage periods and for safety reasons, many of us have installed a fuse block on the side of the starter switch so that any short will blow the fuse and keep the car from catching fire.I pull this fuse out during storage periods so that no current will go farther than the starter switch.(also keeps medlers from blowing my horn or turning on the lights when the car is left parked.)This fuse block is available from most Model A parts vendors.

Both Rick's are on track in that you have something drawing current when the engine is off.A common problem that might be the source of your troubles is a stuck cut-out relay on the generator.If this is the case, the ammeter should show about a 5 Amp discharge.Give the cut-out a tap and if it's the problem the discharge should stop.If not , try disconnecting the wire to the cut-out terminal.If the discharge stops, you found the problem.If not, you need to isolate the problem by disconnecting wires from the terminal block on the firewall. Watch the ammeter as you do this so you can tell when the discharge stops.

This all assumes the ammeter detects the discharge current.If it doesn't you will need to put an ammeter in series with the lead from the starter switch to the terminal box.Then follow the procedure above.Good hunting
Doug




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