cjwatson: (Default)
Col ([personal profile] cjwatson) wrote2005-02-14 05:09 pm

Flat battery

Does anyone have experience with jump-starting cars, and would anyone around Cambridge be willing to help me do so tonight or tomorrow morning? I have the full set of cables and stuff, although random googling suggests I ought to be looking for goggles too. I'll owe you a drink or three ...

[identity profile] armb.livejournal.com 2005-02-15 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
If you remove both clips from the one battery at once, there is a danger you will let them touch each other, shorting the other battery. Taking one lead off at both ends first avoids that risk. I don't think order should matter, but remember that negative battery terminals will be connected to the car chassis (except in very rare cases, like old Beetles), so touching the body with a lead connected to positive at the other end can also cause a short.