Mark,
The first question I would have is how long does the car sit before the
battery goes dead? Yes putting an ammeter in line between either of the cable
connections will show you a draw if it is there. Be sure to use an ammeter
that is sensitive enough to show a less than 1 amp draw but able to take say
10 amps. Alot of meters like Radio Shacks have a 2 amp setting with a fuse
that can be replaced if the draw is higher than 2 amps(got to keep the smoke
inside the unit!). If all you have is a electronic tuned radio then your draw
should be minimal say 100 milliamps. If you read 500 or more milliamps then
you have too much of a draw. Time to start unhooking things like radio. If
you have an alternator unhook all connections to it. Most lights will draw
1/2 to 1 1/2 amps except headlights. Hope this helps some.
Dave Green
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