Oh, working on racecars as long as I have, I've known some of the best 
mechanics working in a hurry to make a fix and get back out on the track to 
do that and slip and cause more problems than they had originally. It does 
happen and usually results Ian a  lot of language I wouldn't want my son 
hearing.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 5:50 PM
Subject: Re: Best procedure for connecting and disconnecting a 12-volt 
battery


> right, this procedure is a safety procedure rather than anything done for
> purely electrical or theoretical reasons...
> Remember, many procedures are recommended to minimize idiocy, or at least,
> to minimize the result of idiocy.
> Things like shorting your wrench to ground while disconnecting the 
> posative
> terminal is absolute idiocy lol...not to say it can't happen to the best
> mechanic, but still, it's an idiot moment if it happens.
> Disconnect that ground terminal first, and no big deal if your wrench
> touches some metal part of the car body.
>
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Butch Bussen" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 3:35 PM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Best procedure for connecting and disconnecting a 12-volt
> battery
>
>> Your xyl is right.  I've seen this in many instructions for jumper cables
>> and so forth.  The idea is if you disconnect the ground first, if the
>> rench accidentally touches ground, no problem.  If it does while you're
>> unhooking the positive wire, you get a short.  If y ou unhook the ground
>> first, even if the rench touches ground, nothing will happen.  Hope that
>> makes sense.
>> 73
>> Butch
>> WA0VJR
>> Node 3148
>> Wallace, ks.