Here is the situation. I just purchased and installed new Rolls batteries, series 4000, those are six 2+ volts wired in series to give me 375 amp hours at 12 volts. I bought some about ten years ago and when I decided to replace them, they were, albeit tired, but still worked. They never gave me enough trouble to relate. These are expensive batteries. Now the new ones do not hold a charge!!!! The dealer is convinced that it is a draw someplace, some sinister ground fault, perhaps. Yes, I am doing all the things necessary to try and trace it and it is driving me crazy. Here is the question, though: Rolls wants a series of open voltage readings to help me get to the bottom of this and states that the negative lead be removed when I do the measuring with a multi-meter. I left the positive lead attached. Out of curiosity, I switched on the battery control switch and discovered that, with the negative lead removed, I was the continuing to get power to house lights and everything else attached to it; lights, FM radio, fans etc. The boat is on the hard for the winter, so I didn't try the SSB and the VHF is at my house. Every time I think I am getting a handle on this stuff, something else comes along to stump me. How, with the negative lead removed, am I still getting power to the the equipment? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Also, the batteries voltage, when connected, but not under load, will fall from 13.6 to 12.29 in three days. With the leads removed, the voltage remains quite high: 13.4 to 12.57 after three days.

Thanks
Mike Meier