Battery Drain on a Deuce - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

M35Brown · 03-12-2010, 17:32

I see a slight drain on the front battery (the one with the Pos cable going to the starter) and have seen a post on this, I don't know where the draw is but it is there.

To fix this, I installed a CAT master switch, P/N 7N0718 for $66.88
I installed it on the right side firwall, just below the airfilter bracket.
I ran the battery to starter wire, from the battery to the CAT master switch, and then a new 3ft. wire from the CAT master switch to the starter.
Now I can cut it off, to stop the drain, and it gives me a key when I park it for safty. All CAT keys are the same, but I don't think the general public will have this key.

Carl_in_NH · 03-12-2010, 17:44

A battery cut-off is a great idea for storage, anti-theft, and a host of other reasons.

You should go looking for the drain, however. If only one battery is going down, then it's an internal battery failure - in all other cases, both should be discharging.

Source of the drain should be easy to locate - there's not a lot that can go wrong. Several threads on this - speak up if you can't find what you're looking for with a search.

J3 Cub, eh? Once upon a lifetime ago I spent a lot of time in R-22s. Let's hear it for light aircraft!

M35Brown · 03-12-2010, 17:52

I see a small differance in the front vs rear battery, it may be the battery, but I load tested both, and they check good, The draw is very low. My truck will start after sitting a couple of months, but does turn over slower. I think its OK, just remember reading a few past post on this, and thought everyone would like the info. Thanks.

M35Brown · 03-12-2010, 17:56

OH; Yes the J3 is mine, I fly others but the J3 is mine!!

The piture is my wife flying my Cub.

AceHigh · 03-12-2010, 18:11

I had a battery leak down once- it was the dirty "stuff" on the surface. Cleaned it up and it was fine.

Carl_in_NH · 03-12-2010, 20:17

Nice J3! Lot's of fun. I really miss rotocraft - perhaps I'll indulge again someday.

G-Force · 03-12-2010, 20:29

Disconnect your alternator and see if the draw goes away.
Most likely leaky diodes.

armytruck63 · 03-13-2010, 00:06

Agree with AceHigh. A little dirt on top of the battery, plus some moisture from the air = battery drain.

elkhunter · 03-13-2010, 07:15

I still like DeHavilland "Otters" U-1A's and DeHavilland "Beavers" U-6A's! Good post on battery switch and battery drain.