Yes, Howard, this actually does make sense to my aging brain. I think it is
how I came to understand it last night from the responses and explanations
of others.
I really appreciate the time you took to reply with this explanation.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 10:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Best procedure for connecting and disconnecting a 12-volt
battery
Hi Tom,
I know the question has already been answered, however, according to the
repair manuals my son and I have used while repairing our vehicles, always
instructs us to remove the ground first and to reconnect it last. While the
manual does not say why, the logical reason is as follows: With the cramped
quarters in vehicles today, it would be fairly easy to have your wrench
touch some metal part in the vicinity of the battery. If you remove the
negative side of the battery, all the potential points of contact by your
wrench are no longer ground in relation to the negative side of the battery
thus no possibility of a short because the negative side is not connected to
anything. Does this make sense?
Howard #3, W A 9 Y B W
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 3:37 PM
Subject: Best procedure for connecting and disconnecting a 12-volt battery
> Hi, all.
>
>
>
> I am sure that, to some, this question might seem to be very elementary,
> especially for someone like me who holds an Extra class license. So,
> please
> bare with me, and understand why I am asking the question. As a college
> professor, I always try to teach my students not to simply memorize
> procedures or concepts just for the sake of doing so. I tell them that
> real
> learning involves understanding the procedures and/or concepts and the
> reasons behind them. I also stress that true learning involves being able
> to apply what you have learned to real life situations.
>
>
>
> Anyway, here's my question:
>
>
>
> Earlier this afternoon, my XYL and I were in the process of getting our
> summer camping trailer winterized for the season, and taken to a local
> facility for winter storage. As we worked, it came time to disconnect the
> house battery from the unit, so that it can be put on a trickle charger
> during the winter months.
>
>
>
> Before we disconnected the battery, we were discussing the best and/or
> safest procedure for doing so. We never worried about this with the
> drivable RV we used to have, because it was always kept in our driveway
> and
> plugged into our main house power all winter.
>
>
>
> Anyway, my proposed approach was this:
>
>
>
> When disconnecting the battery, disconnect the positive side first, and
> then
> the negative. The idea here is that you always have the negative or
> ground
> connected when you're working with the battery.
>
>
>
> When re-connecting the battery, I proposed connecting the ground terminal
> first, once again, to give you a ground to start from, and then connect
> the
> positive terminal last.
>
>
>
> My XYL's approach was the opposite:
>
>
>
> She argued that when disconnecting the battery, disconnect the negative
> terminal first, and then the positive. . When connecting, connect the
> positive first, and then the negative.
>
>
>
> As a smart person who has much faith in my XYL's judgment, I decided to go
> along with her proposed approach, and happily, we are both still here to
> talk about it.
>
>
>
> However, I know that I have connected and disconnected many a battery
> using
> my initial approach, and I've survived that as well. Perhaps I just got
> lucky, but I always thought I was proceeding with care, and with the
> correct
> procedure.
>
>
>
> Once again, I hope nobody minds this question, but I consider everyone
> here
> to be knowledgeable on many things, and I trust that you will all be able
> to
> go with the idea that the only stupid question is a question that goes
> un-asked.
>
>
>
> Your wisdom on the topic would be most appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks for listening.
>
>
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
>
>
>
>
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