Battery charge issues

[Harlow]

It seems like my battery won't hold a charge. I tried to fire it up this morning to try and take it to the last day of finals and the battery was too far gone to start the car. I had this problem at the tire shop as well. I had to jump it. A week ago I found that the alternator was toast and replaced it. What should I check for? Is there anyway to test battery output with the key out of the ignition to see if it actually is even draining?

- Scott

[Plumcrazy]

To check to see if something is draining the battery just remove one of the terminals from the battery post.  Then take a test light with an ordinary light bulb and connect it between the post and terminal.  It should not light up, if it does then you have something draining the battery.

Another thing you could do is charge the battery and then remove one of the battery cables until you want to start it.  If you have to jump the battery then it's bad.