Vampires and multimeters

First, what size batteries are we talking about here? Are they the GC2 200+ AH batteries, or are they something else.

Second, what is the load as measured at the battery terminals? The simplest way to do this is to insert an ammeter between the two 6V batteries. Alternatively, if you have a DC clamp-on meter, you could use that.

There is no way that a couple of 1 watt loads will drain a pair of GC2 batteries overnight unless there is something wrong with the batteries, or they are not completely charged. Otherwise, you are looking at a load that is measured in several amps (not milliamps).

In one of your past posts you mention bypass.  I am interpreting this as a battery disconnect.  I have found it handy to leave my battery disconnect in the off or open position and then place the leads from my ammeter across the open disconnect switch.  This measures total battery load and is a quick and handy way to check while in driveway or while camping.  As someone else mentioned, if the load is more than your multimeter fuse, it would blow.  Try just touching your meter leads across the open battery disconnect switch and if you have an OL or overload condition for the meter remove the leads. 

Assuming your parasitic load is 2 watts, that should give you over 3 weeks usage. That ain't what you got.

If you're discharging in 24 hours, then you have something in the neighborhood of a 20 amp load. Things should be getting HOT, and I mean HOT!

OK, so we're not talking about an Rpod.  In that case, I don't know what specific questions to ask about installed equipment, but I'd be happy to keep trying.  But without some specific current consumption measurements at the battery, we're just taking pot shots in the dark.  Put an ammeter across the open battery cutoff and measure the current in camping mode.  That will tell you in seconds whether you have a parasitic drain or a battery issue.  

I can't find an exact match for that battery but it LOOKS like it is a 230AH golf cart battery.  So plenty of capacity if that is what they are and they are healthy.  A big IF.  IF the batteries are healthy and fully charged, anything that can drain them overnight is drawing a LOT of power and almost certainly will either make noise or get hot.  

If the unit has been in the driveway for a week, has the battery been connected all that time?  What was the voltage before / after?  What loads were connected?  And was the brake system connected as well?  

Paul

I thunked right!