Battery attachment question

[Soitgos]

I have a small solar charging panel. I keep the cord attached to the battery and plug it in when stopped. When it is unplugged but still attached to the battery is there battery drain?

[4x4dually]

You mean, is there a drain when the cord is attached to the battery and the solar panel is unplugged? If so....no. I've read your post five times....I'm confused.

[DaveandSue]

There are several small draws on the battery when nothing is being used. Television,radio,propane leak detector to name a few that I can think of off the top of my old head.Probably a few more.Hope this helps,Dave

[Batts-toy]

When the solar panel cord is not connected to the solar panel and is just laying there, it does not create a drain on the battery unless the end connector somehow shorts out the the TT metal. Are you experiencing battery drain?

[4x4dually]

The best way to track down a battery drain, if that is what you are experiencing, is to get a Digital Multi-Meter (DMM) and put it in DC AMP mode. Remove the positive battery post and put the red DMM lead on the battery and the black lead on the battery cable post. Have someone start unplugging things one at a time and you'll find each and every drain and how much they are pulling. Or, you could mount a high ampacity disconnect switch at the battery and solve the issue without any trouble shooting.

Your DMM should be fuse protected, but remember, don't go around turning on lights or fridge or AC. Turn everything off. Most DMM's have a low amp and high amp mode. The high is normally 5-10 amps. Keep that in mind.