charging battery question!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: charging battery question! (guywade)
I've jump stared my Vette by just connecting the two cables from the other battery and hitting the starter; so would just hook up the charger.
It wouldn't hurt to disconnect the negative cable though.
It wouldn't hurt to disconnect the negative cable though.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove MN
Re: charging battery question! (guywade)
I don't think that you need to disconnect the cables at all, as long as you are attaching the charger cables to the correct terminals! Make sure you are not charging too rapidly. GM batteries should not be charged at more that 10 amps, I believe. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: charging battery question! (guywade)
Always best to disconnect the battery to charge. At least disconnect the negative terminal. Downside is sparks: make/brake connecting and load dump. Can cause problems with the electronics (rare). If you are worried about the radio pre-sets, use a 9V battery with a diode and buy a plug for the lighter socket.
Nice slow charge with an automatic charger is best. If you have removable caps, loosen slightly and check the electrolite level often; top up with distilled (or distilled/dionized) water only.
I have stopped jump starting all together [insert funny airplane (the movie) quote here]. If you must jump start, use the jumping vehicle like a charger and never try to start the car while the jumping vehicle is running.
Pete
Nice slow charge with an automatic charger is best. If you have removable caps, loosen slightly and check the electrolite level often; top up with distilled (or distilled/dionized) water only.
I have stopped jump starting all together [insert funny airplane (the movie) quote here]. If you must jump start, use the jumping vehicle like a charger and never try to start the car while the jumping vehicle is running.
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: charging battery question! (guywade)
You can safely charge your battery with the cables connected as long as you limit the charging current to 10 amps. Connect the chargers ground clip on a ground away from the battery last (to avoid any sparks near the battery which hydrogen gas can be venting from) and disconnect the ground clip first when disconnecting your charger.
