Optima Yellow Top keeps draining??

[yody]

I wonder about something. You said it is a one-wire? You do realize that the one-wires while they are self-exciting, do not have the ability to provide a load-sensing circuit to allow the regulator to pass more current to your accessories? Otherwords, the alternator will only charge the battery at a rate of about 15-20 amps @ idle. The rest goes to your accessories but until you have reached a specific RPM range, the alternator will not up the amperage. Example: let's say the amperage output is 60 @ idle. Now, add up the current draw of all your accessories that are hot with ignition on (MSD box, electric fans, headlights, stereo amplifiers, etc.) If they add up to more than 60, you are in trouble, unless you keep the RPM above the "exciting" range which can be a PITA in traffic or at idle. Sticking with the three wire CS design and re-wiring the system to read amperage draw through the voltage sensing circuitry is the best way to go. I have no problems with optima batteries and I stay clear of one-wire alternators. Call Mark at Mad Electrical (559-539-7128) and he'll tell you what he thinks of one-wire alternators. I install modified CS GM alternators up to 200 amps and even with my standard 140-amp versions, never any drain issues. Also, a digital multimeter can be too sensitive when it comes to finding an amp draw. I have better success using a test light as a bridge between the neg. post and neg. cable-if it lights, you have a drain. I had a stupid draw (3 amps) that would kill my battery after only three days. Turns out my +12v wire lead to the heated side of my O2 sensor was wired direct instead of key on only-oops. -Jabin

So are you saying that a regular type alternator will up the amperage if you draw more than it is putting out at idle? I thought that alternators could only put out X amount of amps at idle, i don't see how the 2 are any differnet? They both put out X amount of power at idle, and increase when you hit the gas. I had the multimeter on miliamps...DUH! I had the positive plug in the wrong recepticle. Turns out I only have a .03 amp draw. So i had autozone charge hte battery, it was so hot after they charged it I could barely hold it!! it was like 160 degrees!! BUt it sure did charge it good, I believe it had like 13.2 volts. Kragens charger wasn't good enough. Also I called optima and they said ALL their batteries can be charged just like any other battery. THat the charging in series thing is a last resort if a battery won't take a charge, but is definetly not required.