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Powerprobe ECT2000

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jerseykat1

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
714
Location
Central New Jersey
Anybody have experience with this? It is suppose to find shorts and open grounds in automotive applications.

I have an 04 F250 with a drain on the battery and curious if this would be a good tool to help find the problem.

This is what I am talking about for people who don't know what it is.
http://www.powerprobe.com/webstore/index.php?route=product/product&path=76_80&product_id=56

I have it. Doesn't work very well. It doesn't follow the wire very well through the paneling and such.
 

ford33

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Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
2,118
Location
Chicago, IL. USA
I have one but have not found the time to read and understand how to use it properly. I understand it can help you solve a host of electrical issues. The the older versions go on sale when they come out with new models. Happens every 3 -4 years.
 

SuzukiGS750EZ

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Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
3,273
Do a parasitic draw test with a digital multimeter. Simple and exactly how you diagnose your issue.
 
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mach158

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Dec 22, 2013
Messages
236
Location
Marion, IA
Do a parasitic draw test with a digital multimeter. Simple and exactly how you diagnose your issue.
Tried that and showed nothing of relevance yet I still have batteries drained down after 2-3 weeks of sitting. New batteries and same issue remains.

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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Apr 26, 2012
Messages
3,273
Are you sure you didn't miss a box somewhere? If it's a newer car, you have to wait maybe two hours for all of the modules in the car to go to sleep before you can continue. How many amps does it draw?
 
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mach158

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Dec 22, 2013
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Location
Marion, IA
I waited 3-4 hours both times (2 batteries) then hooked my meter up off the battery and if i recall correctly after a 6 hour period on both I had less then 0.1 mA which seems on par with enough to keep the memory stuff alive. I did this probably 3 months ago and just keep it on a battery tender now until it warms back up then I'll look into it again.

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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Apr 26, 2012
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It sounds like everything is fine. If it's not being used for a month, the surface charge may just be draining off. What's the voltage at when the car is "dead"? Since it doesn't get used much, have you thought about putting a battery disconnect on it? It's not a permanent modification but will solve your issue.
 
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mach158

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Dec 22, 2013
Messages
236
Location
Marion, IA
Voltage ran around 12.4-12.5 would rather fix the issue instead of installing a disconnect. Im the second owner with my parents being the original owner and this developed after I purchased it.

Only difference is the radio has had a speaker cutting in and out randomly since I have bought it. Need to look in to that as well.

Voltage when dead was around 9-10 volts.

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Last edited:

Gotmayhem

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Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
351
Location
CT
The truck has a .1 mA draw and the battery has a voltage of 12.5 after sitting for a few weeks?

You may be worrying about problems that don't exist. What brand of batteries are you throwing at this thing?
 

Xxslyer1

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2016
Messages
71
I have used the powerprobe alot of times and as stated it doesn't work well through paneling inside the vehicle but does wonders with underhood wiring. For finding a draw I use the old test light between battery ground cable and battery post method and pull fuses to guide me into one specific area and go from there. If it has an aftermarket radio or alarm, that's usually where I find the issue in all honesty.
 
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mach158

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Dec 22, 2013
Messages
236
Location
Marion, IA
The truck has a .1 mA draw and the battery has a voltage of 12.5 after sitting for a few weeks?

You may be worrying about problems that don't exist. What brand of batteries are you throwing at this thing?

Sorry misread the question. The voltage when doing the test was 12.4-12.5. When the vehicle needed the charger applied due to not starting the voltage was in the 9-10 volt range I believe.
 

mdtaylorjr

Active member
Joined
Jun 17, 2015
Messages
37
What's the amp hour rating of your battery. Also .1 ma seems mind of low what kind of car is this. Most manufacturers allow up to a 50 ma draw. Which will still drain a battery in the span of three to four weeks.
 
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mach158

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Dec 22, 2013
Messages
236
Location
Marion, IA
What's the amp hour rating of your battery. Also .1 ma seems mind of low what kind of car is this. Most manufacturers allow up to a 50 ma draw. Which will still drain a battery in the span of three to four weeks.
It is a 04 Ford F250 xlt 6.0 I will need to look at the batteries tomorrow to know for sure on the amp hour rating. Also I tested this approx 3 months ago or so, so the numbers could be off but the draw was in an acceptable range when I tested it.

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