So, John, you seem to agree with my XYL.

Very interesting.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of John Miller
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 4:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Best procedure for connecting and disconnecting a 12-volt
battery

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
>
>
>
>
>
>