battery drain

[bullwinkle]

i have a 2002 773g and something is draining my battery while the machine is idle and key off. I tested it with a light probe on the positive battery post and cable. the light comes on indicating a draw. the light goes out when I remove any of theses fuses: F10.....switched attach F11.....alternator and kits F12.....AHC power when I was connecting the probe I heard a click from a relay and was able to find the relay that is posted in the pictures (I hope posted pics right) my question is should that relay click when the system is powered? it clicks when #85 and #86 are powered together .tested with relay removed. if this is normal then that is fine.just trying to eliminate draining problems. when I remove the relay from its harness I still get the probe light coming on when connecting it to the battery and cable so maybe the relay isn't the problem. kind of lost at where to go from here.any ideas appreciated. thanks http://www.skidsteerforum.com/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/TTTGallery/773G%20RELAY/_thumbs/image1.jpg http://www.skidsteerforum.com/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/TTTGallery/773G%20RELAY/_thumbs/image2.jpg http://www.skidsteerforum.com/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/TTTGallery/773G%20RELAY/_thumbs/image3.jpg http://www.skidsteerforum.com/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/TTTGallery/773G%20RELAY/_thumbs/image4.jpg

 

[bullwinkle]

guess the pics didn't load properly. have them on photobucket also but don't know how to get them here. pics are in the gallery here under 773G relay

 

[mmsllc]

guess the pics didn't load properly. have them on photobucket also but don't know how to get them here. pics are in the gallery here under 773G relay

I've looked at the pictures. It looks like an added on relay for an aftermarket type of circuit. I've owned a couple of previous rental machines & some of those have had similar looking wiring to support a GPS transponder. It might be worth looking at the wiring harness going to that relay & trying to establish if this is actually part of the BOBCAT wiring harness, or something that was added on. If it is a GPS-type of circuit, it will usually have some sort of draw while it is transmitting the machines location, but should not be enough to drain a battery, though.

 

[reaperman]

I've looked at the pictures. It looks like an added on relay for an aftermarket type of circuit. I've owned a couple of previous rental machines & some of those have had similar looking wiring to support a GPS transponder. It might be worth looking at the wiring harness going to that relay & trying to establish if this is actually part of the BOBCAT wiring harness, or something that was added on. If it is a GPS-type of circuit, it will usually have some sort of draw while it is transmitting the machines location, but should not be enough to drain a battery, though.

We have gps tracking units on all of our heavy equipment at work. They do and will drain the battery if a given machine hasn't been used in a while. Our standard practice is shutting off the master key daily so this wont occur. I wish bobcats were equipped with a master shut off key. Adding one wouldn't be to tough.

 

[mmsllc]

We have gps tracking units on all of our heavy equipment at work. They do and will drain the battery if a given machine hasn't been used in a while. Our standard practice is shutting off the master key daily so this wont occur. I wish bobcats were equipped with a master shut off key. Adding one wouldn't be to tough.

Maybe try removing the relay & seeing if the machine will function correctly without it. If so, it is almost guaranteed to be an added circuit. Installing a master shut is a great idea. But, in your company's case, it would defeat the whole idea of where your machinery is. The only exception might be if your GPS would 'ping' as soon as the machine was turned on. Otherwise the GPS would could be rendered useless.

 

[bullwinkle]

Maybe try removing the relay & seeing if the machine will function correctly without it. If so, it is almost guaranteed to be an added circuit. Installing a master shut is a great idea. But, in your company's case, it would defeat the whole idea of where your machinery is. The only exception might be if your GPS would 'ping' as soon as the machine was turned on. Otherwise the GPS would could be rendered useless.

An added circuit is probably true seeing as this was a rental before.that would explain why it was tie wrapped to the wiring harness and maybe why it clicks on with power if there was a gps tracker before. Funny thing tho is when I completely remove it I'm still getting the test lite.had the battery tested and it is fine plus new cables last year plus I've started and stopped this machine 100+ times this spring.things when bad when I had it in my shop trying to remove a rear lift arm pin with a sledge hammer (it wouldn't budge by the way but that's another issue.lol)

 

[bullwinkle]

An added circuit is probably true seeing as this was a rental before.that would explain why it was tie wrapped to the wiring harness and maybe why it clicks on with power if there was a gps tracker before. Funny thing tho is when I completely remove it I'm still getting the test lite.had the battery tested and it is fine plus new cables last year plus I've started and stopped this machine 100+ times this spring.things when bad when I had it in my shop trying to remove a rear lift arm pin with a sledge hammer (it wouldn't budge by the way but that's another issue.lol)

Solved the battery drain problem. Had a buddy come over who works on heavy equipment. Found some bare and broken wires that were shorting out in a harness below one of the hand lever shocks at the front of the machine. Fixed those up and the drain stopped. Problem is after he left and I reconnected everything the machine cranks great but won't start. Looks like my fuel shutoff solenoid isn't working now. I can manually push the lever open and it fires right up but if I turn it off the same thing happens. Will do some more checking today and may get the mechanic back here. Should have given him one more beer last nite as he left too early.lol Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[farmshop]

Solved the battery drain problem. Had a buddy come over who works on heavy equipment. Found some bare and broken wires that were shorting out in a harness below one of the hand lever shocks at the front of the machine. Fixed those up and the drain stopped. Problem is after he left and I reconnected everything the machine cranks great but won't start. Looks like my fuel shutoff solenoid isn't working now. I can manually push the lever open and it fires right up but if I turn it off the same thing happens. Will do some more checking today and may get the mechanic back here. Should have given him one more beer last nite as he left too early.lol Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Check for voltage on the wires on the solenoid. I should have power all the time when the key is on one is a ground and one is a timed power for initially pulling the lever. Can also check your fuel solenoid relay maybe is loose

 

[bullwinkle]

Check for voltage on the wires on the solenoid. I should have power all the time when the key is on one is a ground and one is a timed power for initially pulling the lever. Can also check your fuel solenoid relay maybe is loose

all is good again. was no power going to the solenoid. ended up being a loose fuse. I guess when I was checking them with the battery drain issue the one controlling the fuel solenoid's mount got loosen a bit. thanks for all the help guys. BW