02-23-2016, 10:33 AM
It's not a big deal.
Just don't cross the streams or reverse polarity.
The bit about attaching the negative cable to a metal ground away from the battery and not on the negative terminal goes back to the open cell lead acid batteries.
When they were being charged, hydrogen gas would escape out of the caps, and it was possible that disconnecting a cable would create a spark that would ignite the hydrogen.
I saw it happen with an industrial 500A DC charger when the connector mid-cable wasn't used. I've never heard of it happening with cars, but I'm sure it's possible.
One can buy cables with an electronic interlock that prevents current flow if the polarity is incorrect, but they're a little pricey.
The only problem I ever had was when I let the driver of the dead car connect the cables on his car, and he had them backwards.
Close, but no fireworks or casualties.
Just don't cross the streams or reverse polarity.
The bit about attaching the negative cable to a metal ground away from the battery and not on the negative terminal goes back to the open cell lead acid batteries.
When they were being charged, hydrogen gas would escape out of the caps, and it was possible that disconnecting a cable would create a spark that would ignite the hydrogen.
I saw it happen with an industrial 500A DC charger when the connector mid-cable wasn't used. I've never heard of it happening with cars, but I'm sure it's possible.
One can buy cables with an electronic interlock that prevents current flow if the polarity is incorrect, but they're a little pricey.
The only problem I ever had was when I let the driver of the dead car connect the cables on his car, and he had them backwards.
Close, but no fireworks or casualties.