On Friday, January 27, 2023 at 9:33:43 PM UTC-6, Xeno wrote:
On 18/1/2023 2:35 pm, mike wrote:
Starters can draw 150 - 500 amps of 12 volt DC current. If the negative
leads aren't making a good connection, the car bumpers might make the
perfect substitute. In the days of metal bumpers, having them weld
themselves together is probably not the best outcome. With plastic
bumpers, not so much of an *electrical* issue but you'll be scuffing the paint on them.
Then they said positive first.
Why?
Although the thread is rather lengthy and has been virtually exhausted,
I am going to venture out an explanation here.
Prevents Sparking or Arcing if in the event wires did touch. More energy
passes from the negative (anode) to the positive (cathode) side, due to
the way electrons flow, which create a potential for arcing on the positive side. So, you go to the "stronger" or more energetic side first, then you
apply either the chassis or earth ground. It also puts less strain on the stator and rotor on the electric motor in your alternator.
Follow or look up this enclosed link below. It gives details on arcing here.
https://getjerry.com/questions/what-are-some-reasons-why-my-car-battery-sparks-when-connecting-the-charger
If you need to constantly add water, I suggest you check your charge
output. Your battery is being overcharged and is gassing the battery.
Doesn't do a lot for the longevity of the battery either.
And how do you know how much to add?
They say add water to the "splash plate" but what is that?
As long as the electrolyte covers the top of the cell plates, all will
be well.
Accordingly, the batteries (depending upon their chemical composition
and make up) have to maintain the correct specific gravity. Most people
do not know about this, but it ties in when a chemical reaction is actually created through the EMF of the battery during operation drawing from
each of those cells.
They say the six chambers produce 2.1 volts each for 12.6 volts?
Isn't it more than that?
Nope. The electrical system of a car is *14 Volts*, not 12V as is
commonly believed. You need that voltage to charge a 12 Volt battery at
its nominal 12.6 Volts. After charging, the battery will show more than
that but it is only a *surface charge* and will quickly dissipate back
to 12.6. What people don't realise is that the battery is *only* for
starting the engine. Whilst ever the engine is running, the car
electrical system is running off the alternator - hence a 14 Volt
system. NB, alternators typically output between 13.8 and 14.2 Volts.
Actually, I heard about 13.5 to 13.8 Volts is common for vehicles
and traditional automobiles with regular gasoline engines. Diesel
uses up to 14.2 volts because
more power is generated through the glow plugs (and with diesel,
the pre-firing). I am not a diesel expert, but that is what I have heard.
Any less and the battery may not fully charge, any more and you will get gassing.
They say adding water before charging will make it overflow.
Does it really change the water level that much from dead to charged?
Ask yourself what heating water does to its volume and you'll have
answered that question.
And what happens if you tap water instead of distilled?
The reaction will be slightly different chemically, but not by much, if the specific gravity remains intact. I try to get distilled because there is by nature less sediment in the water which reduces wear on the internal
chambers or cells in the battery and less likelihood of calcification.
Good Luck. Hope this helps.
Charles Lucas
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