2002 focus 1600 zetec petrol-ok ere we -go chasing a drain that flattens battery every 14 to 21 days,car not used much about once a fortnight and 12 miles only-battery tested o.k.printed curcuit on dash repaired about2 years ago.doing the fuse pull check-pull fuse 36 and drain goes-in the book the fuse covers dash and electronic modules--but witch ones ? (drain goes from 0.30 to 0.01) charging at 14.7volt.would just like to know what the modules are to rule them out-or could it be the dash?--also all interior light bulbs removed-door switches checked.

0.30 and 0.01 what? If it equates to 30mA, that's perfectly fine, on most cars up to around 50-70mA quiescent drain is totally acceptable, even up to 100mA on some models. With your low mileage and long down times, I wouldn't be too concerned about the battery going flat, that's not out of the ordinary, I'd advise a trickle/solar charger, or a battery isolator.

thanks for replying lemur--yes- it is 30ma-and yes i now have a 20watt solar charger fitted-hope that does the trick!! will let you know,thanks again mate.

If 0.3 means 0.3 Amp then that is 300mA not 30mA. 0.01 is 10mA.

update on battery drain---now cured!!! thank god for that---but had to hard wire solar charger to battery as cig lighter was corroded a bit and not allowing constant charge.only drawback is having to disconnect charger before running car,but simple to pull plug.thanks to those who replied very gratefull.

Hi Pete, what solar charger did you get?  I have the same problem with my Mk 2 which stands for a couple of weeks at a time and always needs a jump start to get it going nowadays, and looking to get a 20W solar panel.

hi southbound ,cant seem to get an item number off ebay-but if you look at 12v 20watt solar panels there should be a couple of flexible panels on there from 19 pounds odd upwards.you will have to hard wire to battery to be sure of a good connection (i dont trust the cig lighter) a fully charged battery would be best when first connected-as the charger only maintains what is in it.output on panel a volt meter showed around 17v 20w in daylight.-sorry can,t upload picture.but mine cost 25quid but there is an identical one for 19 pounds odd on there.hope this helps--ALSO--you must disconnect the charger before starting and running.

Edited September 1, 20205 yr by pete66
addendum

56 minutes ago, pete66 said:

ALSO--you must disconnect the charger before starting and running

Doesn't sound very user-friendly or convenient

Is this because you hard wired yours to the battery?

Or do you still have to disconnect (unplug) it if you use a cigarette lighter socket?

20 minutes ago, Carl123 said:

Doesn't sound very user-friendly or convenient

Is this because you hard wired yours to the battery?

Or do you still have to disconnect (unplug) it if you use a cigarette lighter socket?

Must confess, when I ran a solar charger on a previous car, I once forgot to disconnect it on starting. There was no adverse consequence, so thereafter, I never bothered! Probably just a manufacturer instruction to stop you suing them should your car subsequently blow up LOL

I am looking at this one as a possibility, based no the mainly positive reviews really.  I think it has to be minimum 20W to have any chance of keeping the battery topped up.

I think they all say to disconnect before starting the engine, but I guess you wouldn't want to drive around with it stuck on your dashboard anyway.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-solar-Maintainer-Cigarette-Alligator-Motorcycle/dp/B07WY3ZMBH/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=solar+battery+charger+12v+20w&qid=1598963706&quartzVehicle=29-405&replacementKeywords=solar+battery+12v+20w&sr=8-6 

 

Make sure you add an inline fuse 3Amp should be ok. It has reverse voltage protection so leaving it plugged in all the time will not damage it.

unplugging the charger is a form of protection against voltage spikes when running--better safe than sorry!!!!!--otherwise a switch could be fitted to isolate??