Jumper Cables Memory Loss

J. Schwiebert

Well-known Member
O. K. When you hook up jumper cables there is a"correct method" It was probably on an ASAE test because I was helping make out a different part of the test. Please refresh my memory. what is the correct method and the theory behind it? Thanks in advance. J.
 
Hello J Schwiebert,

Start with the cables connections on the good battery.
FIRST STEP: Positive post to positive post.
SECOND STEP: from good battery negative to engine ground on dead battery vehicle, NOT DEAD BATTERY GROUND POST!
Reverse the process when done,
Guido.
 
Instead of memorizing the procedure, I think its easier and better if you understand the reasoning and theory, then you can always figure it out.

YOU DONT WANT TO CAUSE ANY SPARKS AROUND THE TOP OF A BATTERY because that's where explosive gasses may be present. Therefore, when connecting make the last connection (the one that can cause sparks) at a place OTHER THEN near the top of battery, such as the frame or steel bumper which is connected to the - battery post. If you hook the jumper first to the + battery post there shouldn't be any sparks and then if you get a spark when you hook the last cable to the bumper THATS NOT NEAR THE BATTERY TOP. Then reverse for removal (remove - first) since you may get a spark down at the bumper.

PS this is for NEG ground of course

Got it???

John T
 
The weak/low battery is the one most likely one to have explosive gasses in it. There for that is the one to hook the cables to first, and unhook last, because a spark can only be made when the circuit is completed.
John T is right about hooking to steel away from the batteries, but it is getting harder to find such a place on our newer cars.

Dusty
 
Be very careful with sparks around batteries. I was in a room when two 8-D batteries blew up. My ears rang for two days.
 
All,
We also need to remember that the two cars/tractors/? must not be touching. If they are touching, and metal touches metal, that can provide a ground path.
This would cause a spark to be produced when you connect the jumpers at the non grounded terminals.
Just an extra step but one that can bite you.
This could also happen if you had something metal laying between the two.
Something to remember!
Keith
 
John T;
Your "steel bumper" just sparked a memory. Way back when we used to just pull up against the bumper and let the bumpers carry the ground. Only had to use one cable that way.

It's a wonder any of us old timers are still around. lol
 

had to watch that with jumping a postive ground system...

VERY bad juju when the bumpers were touching...
 
In a situation where the cables are too short I have touched the bumpers as ground then ran 1 wire to the + terminals. More like when nobody had cables and someone went back into a job and cut a piece of wire to get a guy home. If that wire is not heavy gauge you will burn your fingers..
 
It is the rapid charging of a dead battery that can produce hydrogen AND oxygen gas in the correct chemical balance to go BOOM (essentially when you charge a battery faster than it can "hold" the extra energy creates an electrolysis cell releasing both hydrogen and oxygen from the water in the battery).

Since I have yet to find a ground on my car other than the battery terminals, I hook the dead battery up FIRST (both cables) (no circuit so no spark). Then I hook up the good battery ground then hot. Start the good vehicle. Start the dead vehicle. Remove the cables first from the good vehicle. Remove the cables from the rapidly charging vehicle. I always look away, when removing the cables just in case the battery still somehow goes boom.
 

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