I don't know why, but I was always taught when working with car batteries, 
to disconnect the negative first and reconnect it last. I was told once 
there's less chance of a spark that way and if something is wrong it's less 
chance of a shock, I don't know how true that is if at all but that's just 
always the way I've done it and can't say it's been an issue. I know many 
mechanics insist on that when jumping a car as well.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 4:37 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
>
>
>
>
>
>