Alternator Parasitic Drain??

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WKU Toppers
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Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by WKU Toppers » November 8th, 2018, 12:08 pm

Gents,

I’m desperately in need of some schooling here, I’m hoping to be educated. My problem centers around what I believe is parasitic draw (ignition switch off) and a newly rebuilt 60 amp alternator.
My vehicle is an M151A1 with a new wiring harness. In brief, I’m getting current draw at the battery, immediately upon installing the alternator (ignition switch off).

Prior to installing the alternator, I have absolutely no draw at the battery (ignition switch off). When I connect the alternator, my multi meter shows approximately 0.70m draw. I have a faint spark when terminal is connected. The alternator is rebuilt. I’ve tried two newly rebuilt alternators—both with the same result.

Here’s how I’ve got the alternator is wired:

(1) Alternator ground lug connected to vehicle chassis (good ground).
(2) Alternator field wire ( #586) to switched side of ignition. That is, power to field only when ignition is on.
(3) Alternator output (#5) directly to foot starer terminal joined with the cable running directly to battery ( + side).

To trace the problem I’ve disconnected everything from the foot starter switch except:

(1) Alternator output cable (#5) and
(2) Battery cable to foot starter
(3) Disconnected starter cable from foot starter switch.

This leaves only the alternator cable attached to the foot starter terminal with the a common connection to the battery cable. Nothing else is connected to the electrical system. After all of this I still have a 0.70 draw at the battery.

Given that the system shows no signs of draw without the alternator in circuit, and that I’m getting the same problem after trying two different rebuilt alternators, my thinking is that the alternators internal regulator might be responsible. I'm not smart enough to know how these regulators work -- but I'm sure others have seen and solved this problem but I can’t seem to figure this one out.

As a last ditch effort, tonight I’ll start the MUTT to see if I’m getting any AC voltage at the battery. If so, I assume that would indicate leaking diode(s) in the alternator. Which might help explain the problem. I just don’t know enough about these circuits to trouble shoot them. And I would doubt that I’ve had to identical problems on newly rebuilt alternators.

Please educate me. There is a lot of smarts on this board, I need to some guidance. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Bob

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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by SEABEE62 » November 8th, 2018, 12:15 pm

Hi Bob, Welcome aboard......you'll get responses on this matter, so enjoy this G . Seabee
1971 M151A2 MUTT , M416 trailer
NMCB 62, Delta Co.,BU2, Gulfport, MS Home Port
VFW 3838, American Legion 63
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rickf
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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by rickf » November 8th, 2018, 2:46 pm

Hi Bob, Welcome and I am pretty sure your diagnosis is on the right track but here is a link to a manual you can download that will help you out.

http://radionerds.com/images/c/cb/DA_Pa ... 750-33.pdf
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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muttguru
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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by muttguru » November 8th, 2018, 6:14 pm

It would be unusual (but not impossible) for you to have a couple of rebuilt alternators that were both having diode problems.
There is another possibility. You have an M151A1 and unless you say otherwise, let's assume that the floor start switch is not new. Other owners have had similar problems to you and at least one owner disconnected and removed the floor start switch and replaced it with a known good one. The electrical drain was cured. Those floor start switches sometimes have a buildup of carbon which allows a very slight leakage. Worth a look....and cheaper than another alternator !
Ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by svramselaar » November 9th, 2018, 3:51 am

hi

if the wire no 5 is disconnected from the alternator and the draw is stil there one off the positive diode`s have a leak

george

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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by m3a1 » November 11th, 2018, 10:16 am

...another source for a power drain is the brake light. If you have one of those brake pedals that doesn't quite want to return all the way back up and coupled with that, if you leave your signal light switch on (because you can't remember to turn it on every time you drive) is can run a very low current across the brake light bulb. This current may be so low you may not even notice the bulb is lit unless you're looking right at it. This particular gremlin had me chasing my tail for some time until I figured it out.

Cheers,
TJ

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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by WKU Toppers » November 20th, 2018, 12:09 pm

Hello Gents,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone, but the wife has had me busy doing jobs etc etc Not to mention getting the house ready for the locus to descend this week.

I appreciate all the feedback provided. Unfortunately I've NOT solved my alternator problem. I'm beginning to think that alternators will naturally have some current draw/drain. Here's what I've done since we last chatted:

1. Got another newly built alternator from the same company (the regulator is built-into the alternator).
2. Unhooked the NEG battery cable from the MUTT.
3. Installed the replacement alternator to the engine.
4. Grounded the alternator to the frame.
5. Ran a single wire from the 28-volt OUTPUT terminal of the alternator directly to the battery -- but did not hook it up. This process by-passes the foot starter and everything related.
6. Did NOT hook up the alternator field wire (#586).
7 Connected my digital VOM to measure current draw between the battery NEG terminal and the chases ground.
8. Touched the wire from the alternator output to the POSITIVE terminal of the battery.
9. The VOM indicated an immediate 0.70ma draw of current (just like before) as soon as the alternator wire touched to POSITIVE terminal. The ignition switch was off with NO draw prior to touching the output wire.

What the above illustrates is that the alternator, alone in the MUTT, is drawing current. There is no need to check the cables, or break light switch, starter etc. The alternator seems to be drawing current on its own.

So, here are my questions:

1. I believe the alternator should not draw ANY current as configured above --otherwise it will discharge the battery's. Am I correct in this assumption or is there something I don't understand about alternators and charging systems?
2. If the discharge is happening for a reason, what is that reason? (Remember, nothing is in the circuit except the MUTT battery's and the alternator.) Does the internal regulator draw current in this configuration?

Guys I'm lost. Time for more some Kentucky Bourbon.

ANY insights would be appreciated -- I've exhausted my expertise.

Bob

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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by kmam » November 20th, 2018, 4:29 pm

One quick question, without doubting your ability. Are you measuring the current draw with a multimeter? If so, have you moved the multimeter positive lead from the normal position to the current position on the meter? If not it could be giving a false reading.
Howard

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rickf
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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by rickf » November 20th, 2018, 5:20 pm

Wait a minute, am I reading your meter reading correctly? .7ma? Or is it 7ma? Neither of these is what can be considered a draw of any consideration. Keep in mind that one milliamp is .001 amp, 1/1000 of an amp. The standard for todays cars is around 200-300ma. for the draw due to digital computers being powered. Keep in mind that you have the reserve capacity of two batteries and NO computers so NO draw other than residual from the alternator. That .7ma. would take a year or more to drain the batteries. They will self discharge on their own faster than that.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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svramselaar
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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by svramselaar » November 21st, 2018, 6:19 am

hi

now we talking this is the first time you have it aboud M amps
every diode has a leak in it see below
you have 3 positive diodes at the batt + at the alternator

http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com ... -diode.php



george

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muttguru
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Re: Alternator Parasitic Drain??

Unread post by muttguru » November 21st, 2018, 9:09 am

George.... I never fail to be impressed when you post here :D
Ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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