Car Battery Jumper Cable Views

General Goods

Operation of a lead-acid battery may, in case of overcharge, produce flammable hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water inside the battery. Jump start procedures are usually found in the vehicle owner's manual.[2][3] The recommended sequence[4] of connections is intended to reduce the chance of accidentally shorting the good battery or igniting hydrogen gas. Owner's manuals will show the preferred locations for connection of jumper cables; for example, some vehicles have the battery mounted under a seat, or may have a jumper terminal in the engine compartment.

An alternative to jumper cables is a cable used to interconnect the 12 volt power outlets (cigarette lighter outlets) of two vehicles. While this eliminates concerns with incorrect connections and generation of arcs near battery terminals, the amount of current available through such a connection is small. This method works by slowly recharging the battery, not by providing the current needed for cranking. Engine cranking should not be attempted as the starter motor current will exceed the fuse rating in a cigarette lighter outlet. Many vehicles turn off the cigarette lighter outlets when the key is turned off,[10] making the technique unusable unless the ignition key is turned to the accessory or on position to connect the cigarette lighter outlet to the battery.

When a battery is dead a jump start is needed to troubleshoot the reason the battery went dead. A dead battery condition can range from a car door left open to the headlights being left on overnight. Low battery voltage is a common car problem. As a battery ages it can lose the ability to store electricity resulting in an insufficient flow of electrical energy to the starter. The starter is designed to operate on a high amperage 12 volt system, when a starter is subjected to low voltage or amperage (flow) it will cause the starter to not operate. To jump start your car battery use a good quality jumper cable set. Inexpensive cables do not work as well because a higher gauge wire (smaller diameter) is used in the construction restricting the current flow from battery to battery.

With the engine off open the hood on both cars and connect the red jumper cable connector on the positive (+ red) side of the battery of the car that has the dead battery. Once the jumper cable end is attached slightly wiggle the jumper connector back and forth to assure a good electrical connection. Next repeat this procedure to the battery in the jumper car so both red jumper cables are connected to their respective batteries. (Do not allow the black and red cable ends to connect at anytime)