battery

Post by **les** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:03 pm

Do you know if there should be a slight spark when connecting the second battery terminal to the car? I would have thought not, unless something was on.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:25 pm

This can happen, particularly if you connect the terminals in the wrong order.

Post by **les** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:32 pm

Interesting, I'll try connecting the earth first tomorrow! Thanx.

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:32 am

err with the ignition off and all lights etc off there should be no spark as there is nothing to draw current and leakage current should be minimal.

If you have some acessories like a radio then that may be responsible as modern units draw something all the time.

Post by **Axolotl** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:04 am

I'd agree if everything is off, there shouldn't be a spark, whichever terminal you connect first.

Are you absolutely sure everything that could be off was off?

Door open = interior light on. Modern radio as mentioned above, always on. Alarm system?

If they are all off, then I'd probably suspect the regulator has a sticky relay and is earthing the battery through the dynamo field winding momentarily.

Unless there is a permanent discharge with everything off (check with an accurate ammeter in series between the battery positive and the battery positive lead before you connect it), I wouldn't worry about it.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:14 pm

Interesting, I'll try connecting the earth first tomorrow! Thanx.

Dont mean to be picky but the other way round is the reccommended way.

Post by **les** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:52 pm

Used a leakage testing device today and got a zero reading, but it didn't adjust to milliamps so not conclusive. However when I removed the fuse from the radio memory lead all was well! Thanks for your replies.