I believe a newly installed car stereo is draining my battery. All my Amps appear off but I think my remote wire is connected to a constant source and even though everything is off its still draining battery.What are you trying to do specifically?
You test parasitic draw with amps, not voltage.
How long does it take for your battery to drain?
Any time you put your ammeter (DVOM/multimeter) in series with a circuit, the current that the component is drawing will pass through your ammeter. For this reason, it's critical to remember that your ammeter has a built-in fuse of 10 Amps. If you install it inline with a component that is drawing 10 or more amps, you will blow the fuse in your meter. They are more than a few dollars to replace and aren't readily available, which is why it's always suggested to install a test light in-line with the circuit before your DVOM. If the test light illuminates brightly, it's probably drawing over 10 amps, so don't install your meter. If the light is dim, you're most likely working in milliamps (mA), so it's safe to install your meter.I was just referring to the Volts I'm getting at the amps. I was doing the parasitic test in amps.
So to do the test with the amps is it the same theory? Take the power out of the amp and test between the wire and amp ?
The battery doesnt drain all the way but over night it'll go from 12.6-12.8 and in the morning it's about 11.8-12.0. When I turn it to acc I'll see 11.4
Well I know the fuses in both dmms work because I was able to test on 2 other vehicles a Mercedes and a Nissan but for whatever reason I cannot get a reading on my mustang.Any time you put your ammeter (DVOM/multimeter) in series with a circuit, the current that the component is drawing will pass through your ammeter. For this reason, it's critical to remember that your ammeter has a built-in fuse of 10 Amps. If you install it inline with a component that is drawing 10 or more amps, you will blow the fuse in your meter. They are more than a few dollars to replace and aren't readily available, which is why it's always suggested to install a test light in-line with the circuit before your DVOM. If the test light illuminates brightly, it's probably drawing over 10 amps, so don't install your meter. If the light is dim, you're most likely working in milliamps (mA), so it's safe to install your meter.
To test the amperage draw if your amplifier, you're going to want to install your ammeter in-line (in series) with the power wire to the amp. To install the meter in series, disconnect the power wire to the amp and connect it to one of the leads on your ammeter. Then connect the other ammeter lead to the amplifier to complete the circuit. The ammeter will then read the current draw of the amplifier.
For reference, when testing for a drain at the battery (ammeter in line with a battery cable), you should have less than a 50 mA draw after the vehicle has sat undisturbed for at least 45 minutes.