Backward Battery - current measurement

[fjules]

I posted earlier about accidently connecting up my battery backwards. I finally got a chance to continue trying to assess any damage I may have caused. One thing someone suggested was to measure the current draw when the car is off. I put a meter in series with the battery and I measured 165mA. I was told it should be less than 60mA. Has anybody ever measured this?

I still have not been able to track down any distruction from connecting the battery backwards. I really think the smoke I saw when I did it came from the alternator. It may be possible that the additonal 100mA draw I am measuring is from the damage to the alternator?

If anybody gets a chance, please make this measurement and let me know your findings.

 

[VirtualSVT]

How long was it connected? Normally a reverse hookup will fry anything less than 100 amps.

You probably took out your alt and maybe even some fusible links.

 

[fjules]

The car runs fine, the fuseable link I see by the fuse box seems like it is in good shape. I did not try to start the car with the battery connected backwards (it was connected for about 10secs because the smoke out of the alternator gave me a big clue of a problem), it makes me wonder how much stuff is really powered when the key is off.

 

[VirtualSVT]

the computer gets a small feed with the Key off.

I used to work for Interstate batteries and I've seen cars burn down due to reversed batteries.

I know a gentleman who ended up selling his caddy because it needed 5 grand in wiring work after he took out the main harness.

 

[fjules]

Thanks for the info, that certainly puts me at ease!

I just fired the car up again and let it run, 14.2V measured at the battery and everything seems to be working fine. I hope I just got lucky with this whole thing.

 

[VirtualSVT]

sounds like you did. Try everything electrical and keep an eye on it for awhile.