Battery drain issue

RedFish said

I just don't know then. Wondering if maybe alt' rpm at idle is the issue? Wondering if battery cables are good? Chassis ground jumper(s) good?
Years ago a friend had repeating regulator failures in a 68 Nova. The lug/terminal on the end of the ground cable was properly bolted to the block. With a slight tug the wire pulled right out. If not for a bit of oily electric tape wrapped on it I wouldn't have found the problem so quickly. Remembering other cases that were silly simple faults, like paint interrupting ground path for example. Good hunting.

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Alternator rpm at idle, meaning the alt could be putting out too much? Is that something AZ (where I bought it) could bench test if I had it out?

The chassis ground jumper(s). I want to be sure what you are referring to here. Other than the main ground that goes to the battery, the only other one I see is a small wire that goes from the terminal end to the radiator support. Should there be one on the back of the engine to the firewall somewhere? Or are you referencing something else completely.

I will for sure check the neg battery cable. It is bolted to the block but like you say it could be loose at the crimped end. I know it does move around a bit at the terminal end, probably because I’ve had it off and on so many times ha.


I could be way off. But based on my readings it seems the flicker I have is not a low voltage problem like some have experienced. I wonder if the high voltage readings are the clue. Bounces and flickers at idle but still bright. Then steadies with rpms but not noticibly brighter.

Thank you for the reply and for the suggestions.