MO2012

Anyone else with a 09-12, install the OEM HIDs, and have a parasitic drain afterwards?

I have a '12 Lariat with several aftermarket electronics installed (amp steps, lockpick). After I installed the HIDs I started having battery issues. I can't count how many times it's gone dead, sometimes overnight. It is not my daily driver so it does sit for a week or two in between drives. I'm not sure if the HIDs are drawing excessively or it's a combined w the other things.

lariut

You need to diagnose your electrical system with a multimeter and trace down the draw.

Not difficult technically speaking but it can be time consuming.

MGD

Hi.

Simple test:

Measure the parasitic drain as it sits. DC ammeter in series with positive batt lead. Truck off, key out.

Pull the fuse on the HID harness - measure again.

Pull fuse on steps - measure

...Etc.

Record values and post back.

IIRC normal drain is in the ~50ma range.

Repeated depletions of the battery will kill it in short order - so it behooves you to find the root cause and fix it.



good luck

MGD

MO2012

I tried to measure the draw yesterday but I blew the fuse on my multimeter before I could narrow it down and didn't have time to replace the fuse. I did get the chance to measure the key off draw at 200 milliamperes.

I checked on the negative post of battery and had multimeter set to DC amps. I'll try again and post results

MGD

Hi.

Some multimeters have a separate 10 amp input for higher current use ( my Flukes all do).

200 ma is on the high side. Time to find the culprit via process of elimination.

good luck

MGD

PS - Regardless, if you let the truck si for longer period, buy an intelligent battery maintainer (not a simple trickle charger). Keep it hooked up at all times during downtime. Will also prolong yer battery life. Just fyi.

MO2012

Thanks for the tips, MGD. I've heard of those battery chargers just didn't know what they were called. I'm definitely interested in them since I don't want to remove any of the extras I've put on. Hopefully I can fix it before it gets to that though.

MGD

Hi.

WallyMart sells the Schumacher maintainers/extenders. 1.5A. Both portable units or one that mounts permanently into the truck ( my choice - every vehicle I own has one - even the motersikkles, lol).

http://www.batterychargers.com/


There is also a brand called Battery Minder that offers good units. Try AutoDrone, Un-Advanced, O'Reilly's, PeeP Boys, etc.

http://batteryminders.com/

You want the small 1.5A -2A units - you are not using it to recharge a dead battery, rather you are only maintaining a healthy one ( to keep it healthy)

good luck!


MGD

kidastra

iTrader: (1)

did you ground your hids or anything to the battery? could be interfering with the battery management system


but I'd still listen to MGD 200ma is high

MO2012

No, they are grounded to other grounds exactly as the instructions said with the ballast. I've double checked the wiring on them first as I was sure i did something wrong.

Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

I have the oem 2013 hids installed on my 12 xlt no issues for over a yr now! How long ago did you install them, and I'm assuming this started to happen Right After installing?