Chris -
One thing you should try is placing a reasonable size resistance in parallel with the meter as you measure from each of the points on the pack to ground. The meter by itself is very high impedance and will read voltage from even miniscule leakage currents. If you parallel the meter with something of much lower impedance (a light bulb or even a motor) it'll be interesting to see if the voltage readings remain. I'd guess that enough crud and moisture on the batteries (or elsewhere) can establish a megaohm path to the frame - enough to give voltage readings, but not enough to have any practical importance.
- Tom Coate Leesburg, VA, USA 1970s Elec-Trak E20 36VDC 1993 Ford Escort Wagon 120 VDC |