<E30> How much battery drain is OK on E30?

["Curtis A. Ingraham" <ingraham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In BMW Digest v09.n1986 Jonathan Schwartz <jonathan@domain.elided>
wrote:

> I have an 89 325 which needs to be jump started or trickle charged if 
> not driven in two weeks time.
> 
> The battery was recently replaced.  The current drain for the parked 
> car is 45mA.  30mA of this seems to be used by fuse #21, which powers 
> the OBC. Couldn't determine the user of the remaining current by 
> simply pulling the engine compartment fuses.
> 
> So...is 45mA normal battery drain?  Shouldn't I expect the car to 
> start after two weeks in the driveway?
> 
> Drained,
> Jonathan

A drain of 45 mA is reasonable.  The other 15 mA is probably going
to the radio or alarm.  The battery should hold up for several weeks.
Perhaps there is an intermittent load which you did not see, such
as the glove box light, trunk light, central locks, or door lock
heater.  If your battery continues to go dead every two weeks, you 
could try disconnecting those things.

Don't let the battery sit dead, as that will permanently reduce its
capacity.

Curt Ingraham
72 2002tii
Oakland, CA
2002 Radiator Upgrades

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