1997 XP battery drain

[gp1200x]

My 97 XP has an Odessey battery - 5 years old but still good just like my other two. I noticed that if I leave the battery hooked up in the ski (key removed) after two weeks or so the battery has drained to where the ski will barely crank over. If I recharge the battery on a slow charge for a few hours it has no issues cranking. I think I may have in the past removed the positive terminals on my skis when they sat for a few weeks but I really don't recall. Is this normal for a 800 MPM module to slowly drain the battery over few weeks -2 to 3max? Thanks

I may hook up an amp meter to see what the drain rate is on the battery.

 

[LouDoo]

Load test your battery, a 5 year old battery, your on borrowed time.

Lou

 

[gman1103]

I have a 2000 and a 2002 GTI and always disconnect the battery when not using it.
If not the battery will go dead in a week or so

 

[68ragtop]

I think many of the pre 2003 DESS "non-relay cutoff" skis have slight battery draw that can discharge over time. My 97 XP & 96 GSX was that way too. But, IMO the 97 XP is at a disadvantage by design because of the long battery cables. slight discharge, weak battery & long cables many times equal no start.

Just my $.02 this morning......

 

[XP 787]

Try swapping out with one of your other Odyssey batteries and see if you have the same results. IMO 5 year old batteries and a long sit/no start period you have gotten your moneys worth from your batteries.

 

[JJinSC]

My bet is you need a new battery.


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[69boss]

The 98 and 99 XP's I have will drain the battery if left hooked up. A friends GTX will also do the same. The batteries are good. If they aren't going to be used for more than a day I disconnect the battery. Am getting about 8-9 years out of an Odyssey. Just replaced one 9 years old.

One way to test for a large draw is with a test lamp in series on either the negative or positive side. You will need more advanced [expensive] equipment for a smaller draw.

 

[gp1200x]

The 98 and 99 XP's I have will drain the battery if left hooked up. A friends GTX will also do the same. The batteries are good. If they aren't going to be used for more than a day I disconnect the battery. Am getting about 8-9 years out of an Odyssey. Just replaced one 9 years old.

One way to test for a large draw is with a test lamp in series on either the negative or positive side. You will need more advanced [expensive] equipment for a smaller draw.

Thanks everyone. I haven't had them out since 2012 and just now did all my maintenance to get them ready - lot of work. (97 XP, 99 XPL and 97 GP1200 - all still in really good shape).
I couldn't remember if that amount of battery drain was normal in a week or two. I have a current tester so I will see what the draw is - just curious now.
I found no electrical issues with it and the ski charges the battery properly when running.

I think removing the battery cable after skiing was probably what I used to do in the past. The battery (all 3 Odesseys) tested fine when I hooked up a current amperage tester on them. My XPL doesn't drain as fast but I now see that it too has lost power hooked up for more than a week.

 

[JJinSC]

Install a battery switch. Resolved.


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[69boss]

Just went out and checked a XP for a draw. Used a shunt with a Fluke capable of millivolts. Through the shunt it shows .07 millivolts with the lanyard ON the DESS post. That would discharge an automotive battery in a couple days. Probably a watercraft in an afternoon. However, with the lanyard off the DESS post the draw was hovering less than .01 millivolts. That would be acceptable for any auto. However watercraft batteries are at lease 1/4 the size. That very slight draw could be enough to create an issue.