JD 70 battery being drawn down

[Dromunds]

We have a JD 70 gas that has always started right away no matter how cold and runs like a champ. It is always stored inside. Recently, I had parked it and the next day the battery had been drained of almost all juice. I got a weak crank and then dead. The batteries (two 6-volt) are nearly new and test out good. I had the generator professionally rebuilt and the guy put a new voltage regulator on it. I installed and started it up and everything seemed good, but after parking it for a couple days, I encountered the same problem - I got a weak crank or two, then batteries are dead. Something is still drawing down the batteries while it is parked. I would appreciate any thoughts on what the problem could be and how best to go after it. This problem happened suddenly and we've never had any problem with starting prior to this. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Rusty wheel]

If you have a dead short draining your battery sometimes the spot of the short will produce heat and you can find it by just feeling around the electrical circuit. by what you say I'd start with the genny and vr.

 

[PJH]

You can disconnect one of your battery cables, then connect a test light - one terminal of the test light to the exposed battery post and the other terminal of the test light to the loose battery cable. If you have a load on your battery the test light will light. Then you can fiddle around looking for the problem. If the test light flickers or goes out, you are either close or have found the problem.

 

[MSD]

Unhook that batteries after a good charge for a day or two and see if they still have a charge. If not, they are shot.

 

[55 50 Ron]

He posted that the batteries are nearly new so they should still have a charge (and hold it) once the cables are disconnected.

 

[Blksmok]

Relay sticking on your voltage regulator.

 

[MSD]

Thats what I was saying. Just because they are new doesn't mean one can't puke out. Only one way to know for sure is to disconnect them.

 

[Dromunds]

Could the relay stick on a brand new voltage regulator? Of course, I don't know how long it sat around his shop before he rebuilt generator and put new VR on. I appreciate your response.

 

[Dromunds]

I mentioned that I tested the batteries. I took them into Napa and they tested them for me. I suppose I could leave them disconnected for a few days and test them again. I don't remember how long they sat before I tested them previously.