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06-09-2019, 08:41 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
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Battery constantly draining
1931 cabriolet was running great, now the battery goes dead in less than a day. I can charge the battery and drive it and then the next day it is completely dead. Won’t even run the horn or lights it’s so dead. I’m not sure how accurate the amp meter is but it does show 15 amp discharge when the key is off and the car is sitting. So something is pulling power when the car is just sitting there.
This is a negative ground 6 volt car. There is no fuse on the starter Here is what I have checked. -brake light and lights are not constantly on or stuck on. - battery cables are not damaged or rusted. Good ground on the negative to the transmission. -changed the coil out just because it was easy and I had another good coil. Thanks for any help. |
06-09-2019, 09:03 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bismarck ND
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Probably the cutout stuck and trying to motor the generator.
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06-09-2019, 09:07 AM | #3 |
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Disconnect the wires coming out of the cutout. Put you amp meter across and see if there is any draw. If you don't have an amp meter just disconnect one wire at a time and see if it helps. You have a bad wire somewhere it is just a matter of finding it.
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06-09-2019, 10:39 AM | #4 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Quote:
I've never had a problem with a good restored original cutout, and some don't even need to be restored. |
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06-09-2019, 10:49 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Do as WMWS says, only you may need to use a voltmeter to detect any small drains. I had that problem a few years ago and it was my brake light switch, draining the battery so slowly the lights did not glow, but drained the battery in about a weeks time. Good luck!
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06-09-2019, 05:33 PM | #6 |
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Re: Battery constantly draining
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Dave / Lincoln Nebraska |
06-09-2019, 06:33 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: PASADENA, CA
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Re: Battery constantly draining
You say 6 volt NEGATIVE GROUND?
Are you running an alternator? If so, a bad diode in the alternator can drain the battery. If you are running a stock Model A generator, it should be POSITIVE ground in less it has been modified for a negative ground system. Chris W. |
06-09-2019, 07:20 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wheeling, WV - U.S.A.
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Yes, cutout or alternator...depending on what your running. My 2 cents.
Brian W. |
06-09-2019, 08:04 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
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Re: Battery constantly draining
How old is the battery??
My 6V pos ground alt system will go dead also IF I forget to hit the "kill" switch . Paul in CT |
06-09-2019, 10:42 PM | #10 |
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Location: Redondo Beach, CA
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Re: Battery constantly draining
A bad diode in the alternator will cause it to drain overnight. Oops, saw CW already mentioned this.
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06-10-2019, 10:15 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Battery is brand new, had to recharge it yesterday because it drained over night. I did what was mentioned and with the battery hooked up I disconnected the yellow wire with black marks on it that is connected to the cutout. It for sure sparked and has power there. When I left it off the cutout the ampmeter showed 0. When I connected it the ampmeter showed 15 discharged. With that being said what is the issue haha? Bad cutout?
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06-10-2019, 10:30 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
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Re: Battery constantly draining
More likely the generator.
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06-10-2019, 10:57 AM | #13 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Here is a picture I do not know if it’s a generator or alternator
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06-10-2019, 11:14 AM | #14 |
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Location: So Cal
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Re: Battery constantly draining
That's a generator. Not sure whats up with the cut out, where does the blue wire go?
Also looks like you have the wrong water inlet pipe. Bob |
06-10-2019, 11:34 AM | #15 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Blue wire goes from the backside of the cutout and looks as if it grounds on the generator
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06-10-2019, 02:33 PM | #16 |
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Re: Battery constantly draining
It is hooked to the generator output on the end of the wire you can see.
Is one end of the blue wire hooked to the generator output and the other end to the cutout ARM ? Bob Last edited by Bob C; 06-10-2019 at 03:01 PM. |
06-10-2019, 04:10 PM | #17 |
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Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL
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Re: Battery constantly draining
You might also check the wire inside the armoured cable from the ignition switch. The insulation can get brittle and break and ground out. Also, try disconnecting the connections to the head lights. Sometimes the fittings are worn and don't hold the wires properly to the head light shell and ground out. Look for shorts to ground inside the distributor, under the upper plate. Good luck, Ed
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06-10-2019, 04:21 PM | #18 |
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Location: Cape Cod MA
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Another thought is that cutout is obviously a replacement cutout and may have a diode and not have points in it. If so current only goes one way in a diode and they require a positive ground when installed on a Model A.
On the other hand if the replacement cutout does have points, and the points stick closed,. usually just tapping the cutout body with a wrench creates enough vibration for the points to open |
06-10-2019, 04:25 PM | #19 | |
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Re: Battery constantly draining
Quote:
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06-11-2019, 08:32 AM | #20 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
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Re: Battery constantly draining
The cutout should have an L bracket to connect to the generator post. No other wire should go to that side of the cutout. If it was my car I'd call Bert's and order a good restored original cutout with the mounting screws and L bracket.
At the same time, you should order the correct 1928-9 lower radiator outlet pipe. Your's is for 1930-1 radiators only. Bert's 800-321-1931 |
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