Low Amp Clamp(parasitic Draw

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  • CKGAULT
    Junior Member
    • Apr 2008
    • 10

    #1

    Low Amp Clamp(parasitic Draw

    I have a modis(fairly new) and am using the low amp clamp for a parasitic
    draw. I am having some issues, I put the clamp on the underhood fuse block
    feed wire from battery and started to pull fuses, I have all the fuses out of
    the underhood and ipc fuse block, still have a 45 mA draw, I have removed
    the alt. b+ and regulator conn. off and still have a draw, I removed the clamp and re-zeroed the clamp and reinstalled now draw is gone, am I doing something
    wrong or is this not a good way to check a draw?

    Clint
  • MasterWrench
    Senior Member
    • Oct 2006
    • 1183

    #2
    Did you wait for the specified time for all modules to time out? Maybe the bcm or another module was still awake and needed time to shut down.
    MasterWrench

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    • CKGAULT
      Junior Member
      • Apr 2008
      • 10

      #3
      RE:

      Yeah, I let the car sit for 25 minutes, started out with 3.45 amp draw till
      everything timed out. I have had this issue before with the low amp clamp
      and a parasitic draw but ended up using a fluke and battery cable shutoff
      adapter, thought I would try the clamp againg today. Not sure if I should rezero
      it after every fuse or am I missing something?

      Thanks,
      Clint

      Comment

      • MasterWrench
        Senior Member
        • Oct 2006
        • 1183

        #4
        Re-zeroing it shouldn't make the draw disappear.

        I do not use the amps setting though. I use 200mv setting to check for draw.
        MasterWrench

        Comment

        • bwrench
          Senior Member
          • Aug 2008
          • 157

          #5
          I do not recommend using a low current probe for very small parasitic draw tests over a long period of time. With Most current probes, using a very low current setting, it is too easy for the probe to drift, or pick up transient magnetism. By far the best way is to start out with a high current switch hooked in series between a battery post and a battery cable.Use the internal amps function of your, since this is a very stable setting. I do realize that Modis will not do this function though, but most any multimeter will. Now you are measuring all of the current that is being drawn from the battery. Start pulling fuses and you will find where your current is going. A wiring diagram is also a very useful tool for things like this too.

          Comment

          • CKGAULT
            Junior Member
            • Apr 2008
            • 10

            #6
            Thank you for the input, I agree with you on the probe being somewhat
            inaffective on the draw, I am using my fluke and cable adapter to check, seems
            more precise.
            Thanks again,
            Clint

            Comment

            • CKGAULT
              Junior Member
              • Apr 2008
              • 10

              #7
              Thank you also, I'll have to try the mv scale on some stuff at home and play
              with it some.

              Thanks,
              Clint

              Comment

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