The internal resistance of a multimeter is very high (mega ohms), so you're drawing very little current. Still, if you left it on there long enough then it would technically drain the battery.
How are you using the meter exactly and how long is it being left on for? Are you using it for you car's charge/discharge gauge?!
How are you using the meter exactly and how long is it being left on for? Are you using it for you car's charge/discharge gauge?!
Was that a typo or did the voltage go up???
Depending on how long later was, dropping a tenth of a volt or two wouldn't surprise me.
If you want to make sure that you have a perpetual battery drain when the key is off, what you can do is set the meter to amps and disconnect the battery. Place the meter is series with the circuit (so if you disconnected the negative cable from battery, and then place the + probe of the meter on the disconnected negative cable and the - probe on the negative terminal of the battery). If there is a drain, the meter will let you know it and how much.
Depending on how long later was, dropping a tenth of a volt or two wouldn't surprise me.
If you want to make sure that you have a perpetual battery drain when the key is off, what you can do is set the meter to amps and disconnect the battery. Place the meter is series with the circuit (so if you disconnected the negative cable from battery, and then place the + probe of the meter on the disconnected negative cable and the - probe on the negative terminal of the battery). If there is a drain, the meter will let you know it and how much.
You know, now that I think about it, there probably should be a slight drain on your battery. If you have an after market stereo in your car, then even when the key is in the off position, your stereo should be drawing a slight load for the flash memory. I'd check the drain with the meter to make sure it is just that.
Actually there is a regulator but it is built into the alternator. How long does it have to sit before it will not start?
If it were me I would try the battery first. Especially if it is lasting a couple of days.
The voltage going up a little is not out of the norm. As the acid eats the lead in the cells there will be Minor variations in the voltage.
You really don't even need a multimeter to find a slow drain. Get a brake light bulb and socket and put it in series with the battery. Make sure the ignition is off and the doors are closed.
If it lights up, something is drawing too much current. It takes over 2 amps to light the bulb which is way more than the normal amount of current (300 ma or less) that the system draws from the battery when the car is off.
Pull each fuse one at a time, and see if the light will go out. If so, you found which circuit is drawing too much current.
If not, disconnect the alternator connections and see if it that does it. If it is internal the light should go out.
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If it lights up, something is drawing too much current. It takes over 2 amps to light the bulb which is way more than the normal amount of current (300 ma or less) that the system draws from the battery when the car is off.
Pull each fuse one at a time, and see if the light will go out. If so, you found which circuit is drawing too much current.
If not, disconnect the alternator connections and see if it that does it. If it is internal the light should go out.
View attachment 242576
It sounds like you are on the right track. I am curious as to how much current the stereo is drawing. It may be that one of your amps is not shutting off. I have seen that a few times.