What is my meter telling stupid me..

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What is my meter telling stupid me..

reamer
If I leave my 2012 Ford Escape without starting it for more than 3 days, the battery dies.
Super dead, won't even open the power doors with the fob, radio pre-sets gone.
Did an amp draw test, this is what I got after it goes to "sleep".

Meter lead plugged into 10A socket.
meter dial set to 200m
reading of 01.9

is this 1.9 miliamps?

100.9 miliamps?
I believe the acceptable cut-off is 50 milliamps.

Thanks
Ron
1986 F-150 Flareside 4x4, 351, 4-v, ZF5 speed. AC, Cruise, Tilt, Slider, Digital clock, Radio, Lariat seat, Pwr doors/locks
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
Are you sure you shouldn't be plugged into A, instead of 10A?

Every other scale seems like it should be in the hole identified by the print that wraps the edge of the dial.

At any rate it's NOT 10A draw, so it will be safe for the meter to put it in the unfused A socket.

If I had to guess........
But I don't.

1.9A would kill the battery in a few days.
Try a test light.
Make sure the doors are closed.
Check the diodes in the alternator, or disconnect it and see if the reading goes away.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

reamer
Will er-do the meter setting to the 10A on the dial and get back to this.
1986 F-150 Flareside 4x4, 351, 4-v, ZF5 speed. AC, Cruise, Tilt, Slider, Digital clock, Radio, Lariat seat, Pwr doors/locks
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Dorsai
In reply to this post by reamer
That's the weirdest meter I've ever seen - not sure what the point of multiple ranges on a digital meter would be.

Might just be time to spring for a Fluke.
Matthew
1980 F-150 Custom 2wd longbed, 300-6, C6, 2.75 rear axle
Atlanta GA
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
My Fluke's older than a bunch of people on this forum.  

I also have a Meterman 33XR(?)

Anyway, autoranging and a legible display go a long way.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

reamer
New Dial setting...
Is it telling me 0.03miliamps?
Lead set to 10A
Dial set to 20m
display is 0.03
1986 F-150 Flareside 4x4, 351, 4-v, ZF5 speed. AC, Cruise, Tilt, Slider, Digital clock, Radio, Lariat seat, Pwr doors/locks
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
You had it in the 10A hole before.

Set it on 2, and put the lead in the A hole.

Hmmm, that doesn't sound right..
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Steve83
Banned User
This post was updated on .
In reply to this post by reamer
reamer wrote
Is it telling me 0.03miliamps?
Lead set to 10A
Dial set to 20m
Actually the dial is set to DC20mA/10A.  So because the lead is in the 10A socket, the reading is 00.03A (30mA).

So you'd get a more-accurate reading if you switched to the A socket & the 200mA setting.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

85lebaront2
Administrator
In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
I have a very nice Fluke 75, a number of the lab employees were gifted with nice new ones after some genius laid off the X31 equipment controller, but let him continue coming in to work until his time was over.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
This post was updated on .
Bill, don't we have a 'show off your meter(s)' thread?

I remember you commenting on my Fluke and Simpson.

Maybe that was back at FTE?
But I don't think it could be.

Ron,
The fact that you get 1.9. & 0.3 tells me your meter needs to go back to metrology for calibration!

Or into the bin after you pick up a new (free) one at Harbor Freight.  
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Gary Lewis
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ArdWrknTrk wrote
Bill, don't we have a 'show off your meter(s)' thread?

I remember you commenting on my Fluke and Simpson.

Maybe that was back at FTE?
But I don't think it could be.
Just Got My New DVOM
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
I don't know Gary.

I now distinctly remember that I didn't picture my Simpson, but commented on advantages of an analog.

I do know I had stuff laid out on my tailgate.
And that means it must be more than meters.

Brandon does have a cool meter!

Let me think.....
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
Ja!
It was Brandon... but at FTE.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1436446-show-of-fyour-dvoms.html
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes!  I'd forgotten about that thread.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Dorsai
In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
I guess it was last year, I had AT&T out to my house to troubleshoot some problems I was having.  As I'm walking him down to the basement where the DVR lives, we pass by my workbench...he stops, looks at it, and says "I've never seen a piece of test equipment like that before!"  Kids these days...



Matthew
1980 F-150 Custom 2wd longbed, 300-6, C6, 2.75 rear axle
Atlanta GA
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Not sure if that is  or .
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
Back when Radio Hack was a thing.

Gary, we've had this discussion a lot lately!  
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: What is my meter telling stupid me..

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yup!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI