model a voltage draw

[a guy]

Need help. My 1928 has a voltage draw. Battery goes dead without car usage. How do I find the source. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Jim.

[Mitch//pa]

hi Jim,
disconnect either battery cable from the fully charged battery and take a 2.00 basic test light, put either end on the battery post that the cable was removed from and the other end to the battery cable. if you have a draw it should light. when the draw is repaired the light will go out...
common causes are brake lights stuck on or a bad cut out on the generator. if its not a brake lamp issue try removing the wires from the cut out and see if that turns off the test light...

[a guy]

Thanks for reply. Brake light not sticking. Cut out was tested by local model a shop and is O.K. What now?

[Kevin in NJ]

Alternator of generator?

[a guy]

generator

[Mitch//pa]

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Originally Posted by a guy

Thanks for reply. Brake light not sticking. Cut out was tested by local model a shop and is O.K. What now?

do what i said to confirm the draw.. make sure the battery is fully recharged. if you have a draw it will light if it does not light no draw then test the battery itself or cable connections at the post, at the frame and starter.
if you have a draw disconnect the wires at the cutout and see if the light goes out.. cut outs can int stick

[a guy]

will try. thanks for help. Jim.

[Mitch//pa]

if you show a draw and its not the cut out then trace it down to disconnecting other items till it goes out.. there are 2 wires on the cut out.. one feeds the lighs///horn the other connects it to the charging circuit// ignition see diagram..
the amp meter may also be registering negative from the draw

[a guy]

Thanks. Will continue process and advise results.

[jmeckel]

Dirty cracked and wet wires laying against metal will also cause a current draw. Like others have said following a wiring diagram and disconnect one wire at a time. The light switch on the bottom of the steering column can also have issues as it tends to get dirty. A light will work as a test for current draw as long as the draw is large enough to light the bulb, a better option is a amp meter hooked in series like was described for the test light. Just do not turn on the lights, blow the horn, etc unless you have a amp meter that will take the current. Never try to run the starter with a small amp meter inline, you will damage the meter unless you have a high quality one like a fluke, then you will blow the fuse.

[a guy]

Thanks. Jim

[Tom Wesenberg]

Sometimes a repro ignition switch terminal will touch the gas tank and make the coil draw current until the coil burns out or the battery goes dead. Remove the 4 screws on the instrument panel and see if the draw quits when you pull the panel away from the tank.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"Maybe" jist a bum battery?? Disconnect the ground cable, charge battery fully, & see if it is dead the next day. If so, buy a new battery. IF you are BROKE, call My Dog, he has $900.00 buried, SOMEWHERE??? Dial 1-800-BUSTER T---------
Bill W.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

"Maybe" jist a bum battery?? Disconnect the ground cable, charge battery fully, & see if it is dead the next day. If so, buy a new battery. IF you are BROKE, call My Dog, he has $900.00 buried, SOMEWHERE??? Dial 1-800-BUSTER T---------
Bill W.

i can tell when your feeling better..lol

[Willie Krash]

Bill's baaaaack..!
I really doubt it is your problem as batteries have changed but in the olden days a 6 volt battery that had a dirty and moist top would self discharge. Never saw it on a 12 volt battery, but then again charging systems are far better at regulation, a Model A not so much, .
I could be crazy, keep that in mind.

[Charlie Stephens]

Jim,

Help, I thought I was losing it. Please help me. I could have sworn I posted an answer to your question. With a little research I found your other thread with the same question, https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165644. Please don't post two threads with the same question, it makes me think I am losing my mind. (PS, see my comments on your other post)

Charlie Stephens

[31Abone]

Not a fan of diodes on generators..are using a cutout or diode ?? bad diode could cause a slow drain.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by 31Abone

Not a fan of diodes on generators..are using a cutout or diode ?? bad diode could cause a slow drain.

There are two threads going on the same problem from the same person. He states that the cut out has been tested good.

[Tom Wesenberg]

If you run 2 threads for the same problem you are going to get twice as many wrong answers.

It does make it confusing trying to keep track of what's going on.

[Mike V. Florida]

Here is the other thread;

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165644