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Battery terminal short



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 29th 06, 01:48 AM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default Battery terminal short

While replacing my battery tonight, a pair of pliers accidently got
knocked across the positive and negative battery terminals while both
of the battery cables were connected to their respective battery
terminals. A few sparks occured, but I managed to remove the pliers
quickly. When I started the car, all electrical devices appeared to
function properly, and the alternator warning light went out as
normal as well. Could the pliers across the terminals cause damage?
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  #2  
Old June 29th 06, 02:14 AM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default Battery terminal short

Paul wrote:
>
> While replacing my battery tonight, a pair of pliers accidently got
> knocked across the positive and negative battery terminals while both
> of the battery cables were connected to their respective battery
> terminals. A few sparks occured, but I managed to remove the pliers
> quickly. When I started the car, all electrical devices appeared to
> function properly, and the alternator warning light went out as
> normal as well. Could the pliers across the terminals cause damage?


Probably not except to the battery.
  #3  
Old June 29th 06, 03:06 AM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default Battery terminal short

« Paul » wrote:
> Paul wrote:
>
>>While replacing my battery tonight, a pair of pliers accidently got
>>knocked across the positive and negative battery terminals while both
>>of the battery cables were connected to their respective battery
>>terminals. A few sparks occured, but I managed to remove the pliers
>>quickly. When I started the car, all electrical devices appeared to
>>function properly, and the alternator warning light went out as
>>normal as well. Could the pliers across the terminals cause damage?

>
>
> Probably not except to the battery.


And the pliers...
  #4  
Old June 29th 06, 02:52 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default Battery terminal short


Paul wrote:
> While replacing my battery tonight, a pair of pliers accidently got
> knocked across the positive and negative battery terminals while both
> of the battery cables were connected to their respective battery
> terminals. A few sparks occured, but I managed to remove the pliers
> quickly. When I started the car, all electrical devices appeared to
> function properly, and the alternator warning light went out as
> normal as well. Could the pliers across the terminals cause damage?


We;ve all probably done something similar through the years. The normal
reaction is usually so fast that the only consequences are the sparks
and a spike in one's blood pressure. The quick discharge won't damage
the electronics in your vehicle. If you could have made a good solid
connection between the terminals, the battery might have self
distructed in your face.

  #5  
Old June 29th 06, 03:13 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default Battery terminal short


Al Bundy wrote:
> Paul wrote:
> > While replacing my battery tonight, a pair of pliers accidently got
> > knocked across the positive and negative battery terminals while both
> > of the battery cables were connected to their respective battery
> > terminals. A few sparks occured, but I managed to remove the pliers
> > quickly. When I started the car, all electrical devices appeared to
> > function properly, and the alternator warning light went out as
> > normal as well. Could the pliers across the terminals cause damage?

>
> We;ve all probably done something similar through the years. The normal
> reaction is usually so fast that the only consequences are the sparks
> and a spike in one's blood pressure. The quick discharge won't damage
> the electronics in your vehicle. If you could have made a good solid
> connection between the terminals, the battery might have self
> distructed in your face.


I have seen a battery go in someones face due to dumb people not
thinking about the battery and the battery charger....Luckly i have not
had this happen to me. I have done the infamous
wrench-across-the-battery bit. Definitely an increase in blood pressure.

  #6  
Old July 3rd 06, 07:03 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
Martin Underwood
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Posts: 22
Default Battery terminal short

Al Bundy wrote in message
:

> Paul wrote:
>> While replacing my battery tonight, a pair of pliers accidentally got
>> knocked across the positive and negative battery terminals while both
>> of the battery cables were connected to their respective battery
>> terminals. A few sparks occurred, but I managed to remove the pliers
>> quickly. When I started the car, all electrical devices appeared to
>> function properly, and the alternator warning light went out as
>> normal as well. Could the pliers across the terminals cause damage?

>
> We've all probably done something similar through the years. The
> normal reaction is usually so fast that the only consequences are the
> sparks and a spike in one's blood pressure. The quick discharge won't
> damage the electronics in your vehicle. If you could have made a good
> solid connection between the terminals, the battery might have self
> destructed in your face.


I know someone that this happened to. Even several years later, you can see
the acid scars on his cheeks and forehead - and very obvious unsullied
patches of skin round his eyes where his glasses protected him. He showed me
the screwdriver which had caused the short. It was in two parts: the shaft
had melted through at one point. I think the problem was that the
screwdriver spot-welded itself to the terminals so although his reflexes
were fast he couldn't knock the screwdriver off the battery.



  #7  
Old July 10th 06, 05:39 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default Battery terminal short


"Knifeblade_03" > wrote in message
...
>
> I guess the message we all should stay with, , is that putting any
> metallic objects, on or around the battery should be avoided. Real
> problems may or can occur with that.


A wedding ring is one of the worst. If you get that caught between
battery connections, you can lose a finger.

Lots of newbies never think about it. Lots of us old dudes forget it.


 




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