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Jump Me! |
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If you decide to jump start the car yourself, you will find it easy to do. But you do need to do it right. There are some very basic do’s and don’ts, and now on to the information you need:
Jump Starting a car 99% of the time is harmless to both
cars and all parties. However it is that 1% that gets nasty.
All lead Acid batteries give off hydrogen gas. As in ka-boom! I have seen a
person get a face full of battery acid (Sulfuric Acid).
I have jumped started a lot of cars, trucks and boats. I’ve done car to car,
used a self-contained jump-start battery and a lighter-to-lighter cable with
never a problem because I have followed the basic guidelines.
I have also seen folks get injured by not following these simple rules.
First things first.
If you have cheap cables throw them in the trash. The cheap ones use Aluminum
wire. They heat up very fast and easily. When they heat up, they leave a very
nasty burn scar on your hands. Use only high quality copper cables. The easy way
to tell good cables from cheap? Good cables are very flexible. Cheap ones are
stiff.
How to do the hook up:
Make sure both cars are switched off. Take the + cable from the + terminal on
the bad car’s battery, to the + cable on the good car’s battery. Make sure
both connections are good.
Take the – cable and hook to ground on the dead car. Then hook the – cable
to ground on the good car. Make sure connections are good.
Then start the good car. Do not try to start the bad car right away. Let the
good car put a charge on the dead car’s battery. It is O.K. to increase your
idle. I would not gun or rev the engine.
After two minutes it’s time to give the dead car a go.
Here is how.
With two people, One standing by the good car. Where they can reach the - cable.
Other person starts dead car.
The moment dead car starts, immediately disconnect the – cable from the good
car. Now the cars are no longer connected. It is now O.K. to increase the idle
on the dead car. Be careful on disconnecting that cable. The engine is running.
Do not let your hands or the cable contact anything!
Then, on the dead car, disconnect the – cable. You can then disconnect the +
cables in any order.
Why this method? You never want to chance a spark by the battery. Doing this you
avoid the chance of an exploding battery from spark.
Also NEVER STAND near the battery of the dead car when the last connection to
the good car is made or when you start the good car. Sometimes the bad batteries
can have an internal short. If so it will get very hot and/or explode on getting
power.
On using a self contained jump-start unit. Hook the + to battery and - to ground
or earth but not to the dead car’s battery.
If the jump unit has an on off switch turn it on after the connections are made.
Also give it some time before starting the dead car. When the dead car starts
disconnect or turn off the jump-start unit.
If using a jump cable that goes from cigarette lighter plug-to-plug, turn both
cars off. Hook to bad car. Hook to good car. Start good car. Wait five minutes.
Turn off good car. Disconnect both cars. Try starting dead car. Also on
lighter-to-lighter connections, on some cars, the lighter connection is only
“live” when the ignition key is turned on. Both cars have to be switched on
for the charge to work. Also be aware. You can blow the lighter fuse on one or
both cars. This is why you unplug the cars before starting the dead car.
Also make sure to read your owners manual for any recommendations or advice the
manufacturer of your car may have.
In doubt about connecting the two cars together? Then disconnect the dead
battery from the car and get it charged, or use the good car to put a charge on
it. Remember, to hook to the dead battery first, then + to the good car, then
– to ground. Avoid spark by the batteries!
Last but not least. Just call the Auto Club.
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| Because It's The Right Thing To Do. | ||
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Last modified: November 08, 2002
