to answer this question, measure current with ammeter and/or test battery
with hydrometer. recall that an average of just 1/5 A for 3 weeks is 100
Ah, which is a significant fraction of the capacity of the battery.

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 14:41:10 -0600, Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
wrote:

>Have you checked your alternator for output?
>bob
>
>----Original Message Follows----
>From: Mad and Ed <MadEd@GTE.NET>
>Reply-To: Mad and Ed <MadEd@GTE.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Battery discharging too soon?
>Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:44:44 -0700
>
>Hi,
>
>What can I expect from a 3 year old Optima red top?  Leaving the Van
>for 2 weeks, 3 weeks, the first attempt to start  results in a
>rr--rrrrrrrr from the starter--i.e., it hesitates on the first
>compression stroke but will start after it gets turning.  Subsequent
>starts are fine with nice fast turning.  The only discharge I can see
>is the clock and fridge fan.   It seems to be charging when running--
>the red light goes out but there is a faint glow from it when slow idle
>at night.
>Edward Lowe
>Seattle, WA
>82 Westy Diesel upgraded to 1.9lt. Turbo
>85 Golf Diesel 1.6lt NA
>92 Cabrio 1.8lt gas
>97 Passat Tdi