Car battery isolator vs CCA

That's true but over time the fault may also show itself in another way,
Yes, such as a fire starting and the vehicle being totally destroyed along with everything near it.

Something in that car is getting very hot. 4 amps or 50 watts with nothing in use is a massive amount of heating that shouldn't be happening.
 
Thanks flameport, any idea what could draw that power pls?

Simple - you pull fuses, and relays, systematically, whilst keeping an eye on the meter, until the discharge reduces to sensible values. If pulling fuses, produces no results, then you pull the plug on the alternator, as the potential suspect.

Many things, could potentially draw 50watts, it would be pointless, to list them.
 
Thanks flameport, any idea what could draw that power pls?
How big a list do you want ?

The only way is like harry said, pulling fuses.

Or contact an auto electrician, not just a mechanic/garage. Likely to have good ideas of any issues, and if not, a systematic approach.

Alternator would be the 1st thing I'd check though smart charge system possibly?
 
Ah JohnD, yeah re clamp meter, if it does what it looks like it does it would save a lot of messing about! Are the cheap ones any good? Prices seem to be £200 all the way down to £16 !
 
Carman, thanks. As i say I haven’t been able to find a garage or auto-electrician who wants to know! Don’t blame ‘em really lol!
 
Ah JohnD, yeah re clamp meter, if it does what it looks like it does it would save a lot of messing about! Are the cheap ones any good? Prices seem to be £200 all the way down to £16 !

Why are you even considering that you might need a clamp meter? You have already said you are able to measure a 4 amp discharge, simply pull fuses, relays, and the alternator connection, one at a time, until that 4amp drops to milliamps. A milliamp meter in series, is far more reliable and accurate, than a clamp-meter.

Most DC clamp meters will be able to see 4amps, but become a bit insensitive when you need to measure milliamps, or become very expensive. Eric can probably advise more on such meters.
 
Carman, thanks. As i say I haven’t been able to find a garage or auto-electrician who wants to know! Don’t blame ‘em really lol!

Garages, employ mechanics, used to dealing with mechanical gubbins. You need an good, experienced auto-electrician.
 
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