So I have just about done it!!! But?

[NorthPacific]

I have listened, researched, taken advice and direction and am learning much.

I have just installed a Trimetric 2025 monitor for my 240 amp house bank (6 volt golf cart batteries) This little wizard does everything apart from make my supper.

With everything switched off it is showing that I am using .5 of an amp? The only things on, is the Trimetric meter itself and an analog volt meter. Would they draw that much? What is the process to find out where the drain is? Please and thank-you

[barnakiel]

We have the 2020 here. Small shunt (resolution 0.01).

When we switch everything off, the draw is 0.02 to 0.03. It is less when we switch off the display. Analogue V meter makes no difference to our readout.

You can wire a VOM inline to tell if the Trimetric is telling you the truth.

b.

[NorthPacific]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

We have the 2020 here. Small shunt (resolution 0.01).

When we switch everything off, the draw is 0.02 to 0.03. It is less when we switch off the display. Analogue V meter makes no difference to our readout.

You can wire a VOM inline to tell if the Trimetric is telling you the truth.

b.

Between where and where B

[SVNeko]

You probably have relays and other small draws that remain. That is not abnormal.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

Between where and where B

I would first disconnect the cable from the battery, just before the distribution panel and measure between this wire and the bolt/connector from which you remove the cable. A typical small VOM will measure Amps in line but beware most of them have a time limit (say 10 secs measurement every 5 minutes or so). If there is a loss, the VOM will read a value similar to the Trimetric (as you said about 0.5A).

There are also clamp meters that simply clamp around any wire or cable and tell you how much energy is flowing in the wire. You may be able to borrow one from a fellow buddy.

If you do have the loss, then I normally disconnect circuit by circuit until I find the iffy one. Remember a bad switch can leak too - leading to a small loss. This can be found by measuring their impedance in the off position.

When you disconnect the bad circuit, your Trimetric readout will switch to 'normal' (low) value. That's too how you know which circuit is 'bad'.

As someone above said - make sure there is nothing that actually draws the energy - say a gas solenoid, a small lamp, an inverter in Standby, a control lamp ... We often forget such things.

Let us know how it goes.
b.

[Richard5]

Do the Salmon congregate around your boat? They like about .5-.7A in the water. Think of it as bait. But also think of it as not good for your system. Check your bonds.

[NorthPacific]

Trying to think what might be leaking .5 amp? Seems much too low for a dead short. I took the fuse out of the gas sensor/solenoid. both battery switches off. I will probable wet both fingers and start touching wires! lol I have a great mop of curly hair!

[barnakiel]

A) suppose there is a loss of 0.5A:

- wire a small bulb (5W) in the circuit? 5/12=0.42? does it lit? use a led instead?

B) suppose there is no leak and the Trimetric is reading wrong,

???

I think the bulb test alone could find the leak (if there is any) just need a small wattage bulb.

If your switches have control leds, the bad circuit may show faint light when in the 'off'.

b.