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Case 580N battery drain

D

Dieselfinger

New Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Messages
4
Location
Brampton
I have a Case 580N and it is draining the battery.I fitted new batteries and alternator.I load tested the batteries and they are fine.I tested battery drain using a test light.The test light did not light up. What else can can i do to locate the battery drain guys
 
T

Tinkerer

Senior Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
9,374
Location
The shore of the illinois river USA
Welcome to HEF, Dieselfinger !
When did the problem start ?
It takes more current to energize a test light than the current draw you are experiencing.
You will need to use decent VOM to trace it down. A new alternator is not a guarantee that isn't the problem.
Parasitic drain on batteries can be really difficult to find at times.
 
JBrady

JBrady

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2019
Messages
248
Location
NE OK
In my experience, battery drains are very hard to find unless you just get lucky and it is obvious. I usually just add a battery disconnect somewhere near the batteries. It has the benefit of an extra security measure and it is helpful for future troubleshooting when you need to disconnect the battery, much like a circuit breaker in a house.
 
T

Tinkerer

Senior Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
9,374
Location
The shore of the illinois river USA
An auto-ranging digital ammeter is the best tool to use for your problem. IMHO !
I would check the alternator first for the drain.
If that is OK start pulling all the fuses one at a time with the key in the off position.
Probe the fuse sockets with the ammeter. That may or may not find the drain.
A tough one I came across once was in a car. The switch for the glove box light wasn't turning the stupid thing off when the door was closed.
Unexpected things like makes it real interesting.
 
aighead

aighead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
2,567
Location
Dayton, OH
Would this switch be useful for my battery? I have a very slow discharge on my backhoe, presumably from lack of use, and my parking spot isn't terribly conducive to having a trickle charger on it all the time. So, that means my battery is too weak to fire up the backhoe on its own and I jumpstart it with a different battery every time, which it starts very quickly from that and the machine will have enough charge to restart for the day that I'm using it.... I'd assume the battery in the machine would still discharge but maybe not?
 
Swetz

Swetz

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Joined
Oct 31, 2019
Messages
1,370
Location
NJ/PA
Occupation
Electric & Gas Company
Aighead, The switch would be useful, however, I would highly recommend a battery maintainer. I have been using Battery Tender units for years (have several single units, and two 5 gang units), but they also make one that is solar. Copy and paste the text below in a search and you will see one. A battery tender is more than a charger and greatly extends the life of a battery in any type of equipment.

Battery Tender 12V, 830mA, 15W Solar Battery Charger
 
aighead

aighead

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Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
2,567
Location
Dayton, OH
Solar!? Never heard of such a thing. I have a couple tenders that I use around as well but they don't seem to work well on extension cords... I'll check this out, thanks!

edit- uh... Now that I see the price of the solar tenders I understand why I didn't know they exist... 130 bucks will keep me carrying my charged battery over to the machine. I like the idea, but can't talk myself into spending that much.

edit again- Ok this one is only about 40 bucks, I can probably swing that!
 
Last edited:
mitch504

mitch504

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Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
5,776
Location
Andrews SC
https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-62449.html?_br_psugg_q=solar+panel

I use them on anything I am not going to use for a while, I use one as the sole way of charging the pump battery on my fuel trailer (only pump 75-100 gallons every few days). I have a Cat 215c trackhoe, it has a weak alternator, I use 1 on each battery of it's 24v system. I borrowed a dumptruck while mine was down that had no alternator. We started it in the morning and at lunch, and anytime it was parked, it had one of these on it's 8d battery. It provided plenty of power to start that 3208 a few times a day.

It will recharge most 12v batteries from just clicking to starting in 4 or 5 sunny days.

I own 5 or 6, and will buy a couple more.
 
Swetz

Swetz

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Oct 31, 2019
Messages
1,370
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NJ/PA
Occupation
Electric & Gas Company
aighead, I didn't mean to scare you on the price:eek:. I had good experiences with that brand is why I recommended the one I did. There are many brands that are not as expensive...Bottom line, if they work, they greatly extend the life of the battery and pay for themselves over time. Plus, you do not have to lug the batteries. I have a small no name unit plugged into my plow truck. It is always ready to go when I turn the key. That unit just suction cups to the inside of the windshield. I have no personal experience with the HF unit, but for the price, if your tractor is fully charged when you try to start it, $10.00 is a bargain. If it doesn't work, you surly didn't loose much trying it. Don't forget to go online and find a 20% off coupon as well as a free tool coupon if you decide to go to HF:)
 
aighead

aighead

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Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Messages
2,567
Location
Dayton, OH
That's ok Swetz! I replied a bit quickly before seeing other options for less money. I'm happy to hear from both you and Mitch that they do seem to work well. My battery, with the speed in which it'll turn over from a jump, leads me to believe it won't take much to keep it charged up, so these should work beautifully! Thanks again!
 
aighead

aighead

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Apr 25, 2019
Messages
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Dayton, OH
@Hitek79 I would imagine it depends on the machine. On my New Holland LB75B it's on the "passenger" side of the engine compartment, at the very bottom of the opening, up towards the front of the machine. I didn't know what it was until my neighbor pointed it out but then it was obviously something battery or electrically related. Mine has a couple large cables coming off it, maybe an inch around each, but then if you are looking closely you'll likely see the battery cables heading towards the battery(ies) on the machine. My switch handle also has some electrical symbol on it and it's a big metal handle, when you turn it it only goes 90 or 180 degrees and doesn't seem to do anything.
 
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