Bear in mind that charging a battery can create hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive. You're supposed to hook the charge cables up with the charger unplugged, then plug it in, and do the reverse when taking it off. And it should be charged in a well-ventilated area. Bill K. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Stroup" <tstroup@xxxxxxxx> To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 6:52 PM Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Positive ground -= battery charging The safest and best way to charge the car's battery is to remove it from the vehicle, take it somewhere warm and dry, clean the battery terminals, and connect an appropriate charger to the battery. The connection will always be the positive battery terminal to the positive lead from the battery charger, and the negative to the negative. The charger will run the current through the battery "backwards" and this will be converted to chemical energy stored in the battery until you need it. Most of the time, we charge the battery without removing it from the vehicle. The vehicle controls the charging rate when the vehicle is in operation by coils of fine wire, or by arrays of diodes. If you connect a charger and run a large current, or voltage, through your vehicle's system, damage could result. So, you should always disconnect at least one of the battery cables from the battery when you wish to charge the system. This will stop flow of current to the car's system. re-connect after you are done with the charging session. I usually unhook at least the ground terminal when charging. Use a charger with a six volt setting for vehicle's six volt batteries, and twelve for twelve. Mix them up and you will overload the battery or the charger. Lots of heat is usually the first result. Keep in mind, batteries are dangerous, and can shock, burn, or explode. It is no fun to explode a container that holds a strong acid. Wear safety glasses and be careful. Tom S southern Ohio 55 and 57 Coronets -----Original Message----- From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List on behalf of Jim Carpenter Sent: Tue 9/27/2005 4:02 PM To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Positive ground The + /// Positive //// red must always be connected together. Never connect positive to negative! On your positive ground car, the positive goes to the engine block. Negative ground cars have the negative of the battery going to ground on the block. You never charge a battery backwards! Jim Tom Taylor wrote: > My car's battery was showing in need of a charge to I hooked up my 3 > amp battery charger set at 6 V. It showed about a 1/2 to 3/4 amp > charge. Left it overnight and totally dead. So, I tried a new > Interstate that had been shelf sitting for 3 years or more and it was > dead. <snip> ************************************************************* To unsubscribe or set your subscription options, please go to http://lists.psu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=l-forwardlook&A=1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.8/113 - Release Date: 9/27/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.8/113 - Release Date: 9/27/2005 ************************************************************* To unsubscribe or set your subscription options, please go to http://lists.psu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=l-forwardlook&A=1
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