I still stand by my previous note for reasons gigiven.  It isn't the 
same as unhooking radios where they tell you to unhook the ground last.

73
Butch
WA0VJR
Node 3148
Wallace, ks.


On Fri, 24 Oct 2014, Ed Malmgren wrote:

> 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
>
>