Date:         Mon, 10 May 1999 00:29:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill <Bill@FREEHOLDER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill <Bill@FREEHOLDER.COM>
Subject:      Re: battery explosion
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 10:56 AM 5/9/99 -0700, you wrote:
>        Procedurally, it's just sensible NOT to connect jumpers to the
>        dead battery from a battery in a vehicle that's being charged by
>        a running engine.

Remember, if you are jumping a car to start it (any car or truck, not just
Vanagons), follow the right order!!!

First, connect the positive cable to both batteries.

Second, connect the negative cable to the battery in the car that is doing
the jumping, not to the battery being jumped.

Third, connect the other negative cable to a ground on the car being jumped.

DON'T connect it to the battery.  Connect it to the frame or other grounded
metal AS FAR AS POSSIBLE from the battery being jumped.  That way, if there
are any sparks, they are less likely to ignite any
hydrogen being given off by the battery being jumped.

When you disconnect, disconnect the cable from this far away ground first.

Be sure to wear eye protection.


Bill (SE Arizona) (Bill@freeholder.com) HTTP://www.freeholder.com
----------------------------------------------------------
You can't do everything, but you can do something.
You can't help everyone, but you can help someone.
Even one candle helps to push back the darkness.