Gents - had a mechanic tell me many, many years ago that disconnecting EITHER battery cable will prevent it from discharging - is it true? I'm in a situation (recovering from a surgery) where my truck is gonna be sitting for days on end, and I'm wondering if this is a worthwhile effort (?) I've already taken off the neg. cable, am just wondering if I should leave it off, take off the pos. as well, or just leave `em alone and shut the hell up? Opinions ? (better yet FACTS PLEASE!) Thanks . . .

 

Are you sitting down ?

Believe it or not !

1)a battery can short out within it itself.

2)An electrical system can find a quicker way to ground than going to the negative post of the battery.

3)A battery can lose power by shorting out over the top of the case.

Tip# 1 - Disconnect Both Cables to be sure.


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Thank you for the reply - Please forgive my lack of knowledge with 'all things electrical', as weak as I may be in other areas of auto mech. systems, it pales in comparison to the 'mystery' of wiring and circuits, relays and fuses, breakers and switches, alternators (generators) and BAT-TREE'S where I become involved. If I may take your priciples one at a time as to my understanding (?) of them 1.)"A battery can short out WITHIN itself" - does this mean (rather, I've taken it to mean) that ANY battery can fail at ANY time, whether it's new or completely disconnected or not (?) 2.)"An electrical system can find a quicker way to ground than going to the negative post..." - is this why we make the final connection of a "boost" or "jump-start" to an iron connected bolt or bracket ? 3.)..."shorting out over the top of the case" - does this refer to electrical current 'arcing' around where there are loose connections or 'open' wires, cables etc.? Thanks again and in advance - (my wife and my mother will sleep a lil' better knowing I've gained ANY knowledge where electricity is concerned) Take care - Glenn . . .

 

>Thank you for the reply - Please forgive my lack of
>knowledge with 'all things electrical', as weak as I may be
>in other areas of auto mech. systems, it pales in comparison
>to the 'mystery' of wiring and circuits, relays and fuses,
>breakers and switches, alternators (generators) and
>BAT-TREE'S where I become involved. If I may take your
>priciples one at a time as to my understanding (?) of them
>1.)"A battery can short out WITHIN itself" - does this mean
>(rather, I've taken it to mean) that ANY battery can fail at
>ANY time, whether it's new or completely disconnected or not
>(?)
Yes ! Old or New > the battery can develop a short within itself > usually one or two cells will go bad and it mostly happens at the cell closest to the + post>
The battery can also sulfate and die


2.)"An electrical system can find a quicker way to
>ground than going to the negative post..." - is this why we
>make the final connection of a "boost" or "jump-start" to an
>iron connected bolt or bracket ?
Not necessarily,The boost ground cable is made to a bracket or engine to avoid a spark possibly causing the battery to explode from the gases the battery emits from the cell covers.
The better choice would be to disconnect the ground cable,
Me.... I disconnect both.


3.)..."shorting out over
>the top of the case" - does this refer to electrical current
>'arcing' around where there are loose connections or 'open'
>wires, cables etc.?

No,
Take note of the residue on the top of the battery case.
This residue can carry power from the + post to the - post thus shorting out the battery.
I've personally noted using a vom meter observed a miniscule amount power doing this > ground clamp on the neg post & probe touchinbg the top of the battery case away from the + post.




Thanks again and in advance - (my wife
>and my mother will sleep a lil' better knowing I've gained
>ANY knowledge where electricity is concerned) Take care -
>Glenn . . .

[font color=red]Dennis

FTE Assistant Administrator
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Thank you again sir - I'll sleep, a bit more restfully myself now that I have a better understanding!