Electrical Parasitic draw...

[DRTHWKR]

I recently picked up an '80 CJ5 2.5l from the second owner, who essentially knew nothing about the vehicle; it was a gift to him and he only drove it a few times.
There seems to be some sort of parasitic draw on the battery. Battery had a full charge and a week or so later, completely dead. Nothing left on (lights, radio, etc).
Battery is 6 months old, terminals are clean and cables tight.
How can I track down the source of the drain?

 

[CJ]

The cheapest way is with a good old fashion test light (incandescent bulb - not LED). By placing it inline in any circuit, just look for a slight glow. Start from the battery and work back.

Test light

Google Search

If you want to spend a few $ to add to your tool collection.

Power Probe

Google Search

 

[KRUPP]

Annoying, right? Pretty common in older vehicles and especially Jeeps. Add all the various accessories we tend to wire-up (off road lights, updated ignition, fuel injection, winches, stereos, CBs, amplifiers, accessory 12v plugs, etc.) and the chances get greater for a problem.

I spent about an hour trying to find the voltage draw I was experiencing. No luck, except for the obvious draw from the dash clock.
I decided to add in a battery disconnect for the time being. It goes on the negative battery post and is a simple screw on/screw off disconnect.

BATTERY DOCTOR Battery Disconnect Switch: Top Post Rotary, Top Post, Negative, 12V, 500 A, Zinc​

Item 4NGU3
Mfr. Model 20308

 

[Belizean]

Annoying, right? Pretty common in older vehicles and especially Jeeps. Add all the various accessories we tend to wire-up (off road lights, updated ignition, fuel injection, winches, stereos, CBs, amplifiers, accessory 12v plugs, etc.) and the chances get greater for a problem.

I spent about an hour trying to find the voltage draw I was experiencing. No luck, except for the obvious draw from the dash clock.
I decided to add in a battery disconnect for the time being. It goes on the negative battery post and is a simple screw on/screw off disconnect.

View attachment 103602

BATTERY DOCTOR Battery Disconnect Switch: Top Post Rotary, Top Post, Negative, 12V, 500 A, Zinc​

Item 4NGU3
Mfr. Model 20308

Wonder how that would work as a theft protector ? Someone pretty smart might figure it out pretty quickly.

 

[DRTHWKR]

I appreciate the input- I may and up doing both- one to hopefully resolve the issue, and the other to prevent it!