[TR] 1974 TR6

[Mark Steph]

You're probably going to get a lot of advice on "the right thing to do."

Let me just do the exact opposite.  I have owned my 75 TR6 since 1983.
I've had the exact same problem as you are describing.  Add to this that
there have been many times where the old girl has sit idle awaiting an
engine rebuild, tranny rebuild or any of another hundred projects.  And
my battery drain always seemed to come and go -- so when I would break
down and test -- I'd find nothing.

So the wrong advice is this:
1. the next time you buy a battery, buy a boat battery.  You have a huge
battery box and there is almost nothing too big.  Just find one with the
CCA's you are looking for.  Boat batteries have reinforcements on the
plates and are less likely to warp.  They are designed for the folks
that drive their boats all summer and then let them sit idle all winter.

2. Buy a $9 battery cut off switch.  When you pull into the garage, pop
the hood and throw the switch.  (I have not attended that many Triumph
events, but the couple I've been to, I was amazed just how many people
had a battery switch -- even during judging events.)

I did this 5 years ago -- and never had a noticeable battery issue since
then.  (I still have one -- it's just not noticeable.)

TOM BARILLA wrote:
> I ran across your website while trying to find out information on how to test
> for a battery drain while the car in off.
> 
> My battery went totally dead so I purchased a new Sears Diehard.  After
> installation my 1974 TR6 started right up and was charging at around 12.5-13
> on the amp meter.
> 
> Within 3 days this new battery also went completely dead. Absolutely nothing.
> After charging it I ran some tests with a testing light.  I disconnected the
> negative lead from the battery, attached the testing light lead to the
> negative battery post,  took out one fuse at a time,and then touched the end
> of the testing light to the negative lead.  The testing light lit up.  One by
> one I disconnected every fuse and with no fuses in the fuse box the testing
> light still lit up.  From everything I have read this should not have happened
> once all fuses were removed.
> 
> How can I have a battery drain with no fuses in the fuse box?  Am I doing
> something wrong?
> 
> Any advice you can give me will be greatly appriciated.
> 
> 
> Tom Barilla
> TJBARILLA at COX.NET


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This friction,
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