Battery reconnect sparks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
Not all machines have a main fuse, that`s the point of remembering the correct way to connect and disconnect a battery, on any machine.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Georgia
To the OPs question, the little bit of sparking you get when connecti g a battery is inconsequential. You can minimize the spark though by being quick and decisive when putting the last connection on the battery.
Anytime you make, or break, an electrical connection to make a circuit go live there's the possibility, likelihood even, of creating a spark. Flipping a light switch or plugging in a fuse or power cord can make a spark. The only real difference is in doing those things the connection is made quickly, decisively and hidden from sight.
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From: Carlsbad, CA
This could be extremely hazardous on non sealed batteries, as a spark could ignite hydrogen from the battery.
It's really not that hard to do it the prescribed way!!
Not necessarily related to this exactly, but an exploded battery can be extremely powerful. Many years ago, on a cold morning in Rochester, Ny, I went to start my 1976 Chevy Malibu. The battery exploded with such force it shook the car, and my wife heard the explosion in the house. My forensics revealed: it was a non sealed battery. I had neglected to keep the battery fluid level up. The spring ring on one of the cell caps came loose and landed on the exposed plates, sparked, and the released hydrogen from the start current exploded. Ka blam!! So, I am now always very careful with high capacity batteries.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Jun 3, 2017 at 10:47 AM.
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From: Wisconsin, USA
I learned that the hard way in 1978, on my 66 Mustang. I removed the positive first. I must have bought a battery with the posts on the wrong side, because the positive was near the frame. My wrench hit the frame and sparked, but no explosion.
I cleaned the battery, added distilled water, and put it back in. Connected the negative first(idiot), and when it sparked connecting the positive, I blew the battery up. Luckily I wore glasses, but I had acid all over me. I was at my apartment, and jumped in the shower in my clothes. I blame my Tinnitus in my left ear on that explosion.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
Old thread but still my bad on connections. Positive first then negative. I've got two Dynas and the positive is connected first then the negative, my apologies for the faux pau. French for F--k up.
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benningtonr
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Mar 4, 2017 07:10 PM
