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Message started by Andy RN on 08/26/18 at 18:33:12

Title: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by Andy RN on 08/26/18 at 18:33:12

If I'm loosening the the screw-bolt on the positive battery terminal, does it matter if the tool I'm using touches the frame or other metal parts? I'm assuming the answer is "no" provided that I disconnected the negative lead first - but I want to be 110% sure. Thanks!

Title: Re: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by Dave on 08/26/18 at 18:42:16

No - the negative side is grounded. It is always best to remove the negative terminal first when removing the battery, and connect it last when installing the battery.

(Some old cars are positive ground....so reverse the process on those cars).

Title: Re: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by GOF on 08/26/18 at 18:45:42

This is why yo disconnect the negative terminal first. As long as there is no complete circuit from the pos. terminal to the neg. terminal you are ok.

But being careful is good practice.

Title: Re: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by eau de sauvage on 08/26/18 at 19:34:47

You still have to be very careful disconnecting the positive terminal on the S40 even when you've disconnected the negative, because the neg terminal is very short and stiff and so when you jiggle the battery out a bit in order to get to the positive terminal, what can happen is that the disconnected negative terminal can end up grounding to a bit of the battery cover without you realising it, then when you go to undo the pos it can scare the sh!t out of you. Ask me how I know this.

I find it best practise to wrap the neg terminal with a bit of plastic after disconnecting to avoid this issue.

Title: Re: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by stewmills on 08/26/18 at 20:22:39

My battery terminal bolts have the Phillips too. I wrapped a long screwdriver with electrical tape and it prevents a short. IIRC you have to go between the frame on the negative side due to the angle.

Title: Re: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by batman on 08/26/18 at 21:19:27

By the way, No question is stupid , Your only being silly if you DON'T ask the question, and your getting smarter if you do.

Title: Re: Stupid Electricity Question
Post by zipidachimp on 08/27/18 at 03:23:18

I stuck my JIS screwdriver in a vinyl tube before removing battery! Boy scout training made me paranoid/ocd !!!!! :D