Parasitic Battery Draw Test Procedure - Checking for Unwanted Draw (Wilson)

This is a page from a Wilson Electrical Products reference titled "Testing the Alternator," specifically covering the procedure "Checking for Unwanted Draw" (parasitic battery drain). The test applies when a vehicle's battery keeps running down after sitting for a day or two. The procedure instructs the reader to turn everything off (no lights, no doors open, key off), disconnect the negative battery cable, and connect an ammeter set to the milliamp scale between the cable clamp and the battery post. A temporary 12-gauge jumper wire is installed between the negative cable and negative post while the key is turned to the on position for 10 seconds (without starting the engine). After turning the key off, closing the door, and removing the temporary wire, the meter should show a milliamp reading no greater than 50 mA (about 0.05 amps). If the reading is higher, the document explains how to isolate the offending circuit by pulling fuses one at a time until the reading drops below 50 mA. Illustrations show a battery, digital multimeter, negative cable clamp, and a hand removing a fuse from a fuse box. The page is generic to any 12-volt automotive electrical system and is not vehicle-specific.