Re: New to forum/CB650 and my first question!

Posted by Cabreco on Oct 05, 2011; 2:21pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/New-to-forum-CB650-and-my-first-question-tp3381249p3396653.html

You might have a parasitic drain. You need to rig up an ammeter in series between a battery cable and the battery:

Best way to check for parasitic drain with the engine off is to disconnect one of the battery terminals and connect a multimeter in series between the battery post and cable terminal. Make sure the bike is in full "standby" mode: key out, kill switch off. You should 0mA drain, If it's much above that, in the hundreds of mA or more, there is an excessive drain someplace. Find it by disconnecting suspected circuits/devices one at a time until the drain drops back down to normal. While the meter is connected, do not turn the key on or attempt to start the bike, this may destroy the meter (or at least pop its internal fuse). In fact don't put the key in at all until you complete the test and reconnect the battery terminal.

Repeat the process with the kill switch on key off.

There is a much easier and cheaper for most by using an ordinary 12v test light instead of an ammeter {NO LED TERSTERS FOR THIS ONE}. Disconnect one battery terminal, attach one end of the test light to the removed terminal and the other end to the battery where the term was connected. you should have zero ma draw with the key off. No more than 100ma which translates to a slight glow of the test light. A draw that will kill your battery will light the test light brightly. If the test light lights up simply remove your fuses one at a time until the light goes out.  If the light will not go out you have a draw on a circuit that is not fused, alt wiring regulator...

Good luck.