Ed:

Interestingly, my XYL looked up the proper procedure on the internet, and
the correct procedure according to the web site she checked  is in line with
what she suggests.

Don't worry:  our discussion is still very amicable.  Remember, she's a ham
too, and we've been married for 39 years!  (smile)

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ed Malmgren
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 4:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fw: Best procedure for connecting and disconnecting a 12-volt
battery

Tom, your right this time but don't tell your Y L that I said she is wrong.


Oh well I don't have to live with her hi hi 73 ED K7UC -----Original
Message-----
From: Tom Behler
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 2:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
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