. I have learned as I've aged to seek advice. 
Electrical ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,658
Likes: 2,140
From: Golden Colorado
Electrical ?
Ok this may sound silly but I'm no sparky. I bought a battery spade quick disconnect and am wondering should it go on the B+ battery post or the ground (-) post. The positive is easier to get to(C2) but will it spark when connecting if on B+. Thanks in advance for the help.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kannapolis NC
Whether it's on the positive or negative, it does the same thing. It interrupts the completed circuit so that no current can flow. The only negative I have run into with the cutoff on the positive is (particularly with the large blade type) even when open you have a fairly large chunk of metal sticking up that has 12v on it and you still have the ground connected. If you drop a wrench or something metallic and it touches the ground (like engine or exhaust manifold) and falls into the cutoff, you get 12v directly to ground. You also get a large fireworks display and some hot metal. If this sounds oddly specific, it is. It happens.
With the cutoff on the negative side, shorting the positive side to ground will do nothing, and shorting to the negative side only reconnects the battery. For that reason alone, I do the negative side.
With the cutoff on the negative side, shorting the positive side to ground will do nothing, and shorting to the negative side only reconnects the battery. For that reason alone, I do the negative side.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
Whether it's on the positive or negative, it does the same thing. It interrupts the completed circuit so that no current can flow. The only negative I have run into with the cutoff on the positive is (particularly with the large blade type) even when open you have a fairly large chunk of metal sticking up that has 12v on it and you still have the ground connected. If you drop a wrench or something metallic and it touches the ground (like engine or exhaust manifold) and falls into the cutoff, you get 12v directly to ground. You also get a large fireworks display and some hot metal. If this sounds oddly specific, it is. It happens.
With the cutoff on the negative side, shorting the positive side to ground will do nothing, and shorting to the negative side only reconnects the battery. For that reason alone, I do the negative side.
With the cutoff on the negative side, shorting the positive side to ground will do nothing, and shorting to the negative side only reconnects the battery. For that reason alone, I do the negative side.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,658
Likes: 2,140
From: Golden Colorado
So I did some research after posting this question. The biggest potential problem comes from hydrogen gas (think Hindenberg). If the cutoff is on the positive side and any current is flowing when you disconnect it with the ground connected, it will spark. Maybe not large enough to see but a discharge non the less. Now if the battery is venting or overcharging hydrogen gas, which is very flammable, is produced. AND the spark will ignite it. If you have ever seen a battery explosion, it is not a pretty thing, and you better pray you have your safety glasses on. Not just damage to the car and paint, but personal injury can and will result. Now that is the schooling lesson for today. Thanks to all for the responses. Happy motoring.