Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 12:28:51

Title: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 12:28:51
Hi all,

I was thinking yesterday that there's some very simple jobs that I don't know how to do... simply cos I've never been shown ;)

One being I know nothing about the car battery. I've of course seen a car having jump leads used on it but don't know how to or anything else about the battery.

...So I read a guide online.

Firstly, removing and replacing a battery. Simply unscrew the lead to the ''-'' negative terminal (has to be the negative off first as it could short circuit but why?). Then the positive unscrewed. Then pull out and replacement is reversal of removal?

Secondly, using jump leads. Is this what's known as ''jumping'' a car? Am I right that if batteries dead, attach the respective ''+'' and ''-'' leads to the respective terminals and attach in the same way to your ''helper'' car. start the helper car, run for a few mins, try and start the dead bat. car and then a good run for the alternator to charge the battery?

And finally, how do you check if you need a new battery? I know there are expensive tools to check the voltage being produced. Anything I can check wuithout this?

Cheers all. Again, sorry if questions are retarded but I genuinely don't know and would like to learn  :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: henryd on 27 January 2012, 12:52:04
Hi all,

I was thinking yesterday that there's some very simple jobs that I don't know how to do... simply cos I've never been shown ;)

One being I know nothing about the car battery. I've of course seen a car having jump leads used on it but don't know how to or anything else about the battery.

...So I read a guide online.

Firstly, removing and replacing a battery. Simply unscrew the lead to the ''-'' negative terminal (has to be the negative off first as it could short circuit but why?). Then the positive unscrewed. Then pull out and replacement is reversal of removal?

Secondly, using jump leads. Is this what's known as ''jumping'' a car? Am I right that if batteries dead, attach the respective ''+'' and ''-'' leads to the respective terminals and attach in the same way to your ''helper'' car. start the helper car, run for a few mins, try and start the dead bat. car and then a good run for the alternator to charge the battery?

And finally, how do you check if you need a new battery? I know there are expensive tools to check the voltage being produced. Anything I can check wuithout this?

Cheers all. Again, sorry if questions are retarded but I genuinely don't know and would like to learn  :y

the reason its negative first to disconnect is because if you did the positive first and the spanner that you were using should touch surrounding metal work there would be big flash and sparks and stuff as the spanner would complete the circuit,so disconnect negative first and reconnect last :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 12:54:32
Ok thanks Henryd.

Does every other process I've highlighted seem correct? :)
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 January 2012, 13:06:44
Nope.

For jump starting you should.

Both vehicles off

Connect the positive terminals first.
Then connect the ned lead to the neg terminal of the running vehicle.
Connect the neg lead to the ENGINE on the vehicle requiring jump starting.
Start and run the good vehcile with a few revs on for a few minutes so as to get a bit of juice into the flat battery
Then start the car with the flat battery.
Remove negative connections first starting with the one connected to the engine.

Reasoning being that the final connection is likely to spark and a flat battery could have been gassing.....and I have seen a battery blow up when the spark lights the hydrogen!

The other lesser reasons are that it reduces the series resistance to the starter on the flat vehicle by eliminating the neg connection.
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: henryd on 27 January 2012, 13:14:04
Nope.

For jump starting you should.

Both vehicles off

Connect the positive terminals first.
Then connect the ned lead to the neg terminal of the running vehicle.
Connect the neg lead to the ENGINE on the vehicle requiring jump starting.
Start and run the good vehcile with a few revs on for a few minutes so as to get a bit of juice into the flat battery
Then start the car with the flat battery.
Remove negative connections first starting with the one connected to the engine.

Reasoning being that the final connection is likely to spark and a flat battery could have been gassing.....and I have seen a battery blow up when the spark lights the hydrogen!

The other lesser reasons are that it reduces the series resistance to the starter on the flat vehicle by eliminating the neg connection.

So have I and it aint nice ,nor is the shower of acid that comes with it :-X
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 13:30:59
Cheers Mark, that's perfect ;)

Is removing and replacing how i've said to do it correct?  :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: YZ250 on 27 January 2012, 14:22:27
Firstly, removing and replacing a battery. Simply unscrew the lead to the ''-'' negative terminal (has to be the negative off first as it could short circuit but why?). Then the positive unscrewed. Then pull out and replacement is reversal of removal?

Yep, disconnect - negative first, + positive second. I personally undo the negative, wrap a rag around it and tie it out of the way, then undo the positive and do the same with that. It makes it easier to drop in the new battery without it getting caught up on the leads, especially if you have to feed it into the jacket. It may seem a bit over the top but ensures that the terminals don't touch any metal parts.  :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 14:28:40
Firstly, removing and replacing a battery. Simply unscrew the lead to the ''-'' negative terminal (has to be the negative off first as it could short circuit but why?). Then the positive unscrewed. Then pull out and replacement is reversal of removal?

Yep, disconnect - negative first, + positive second. I personally undo the negative, wrap a rag around it and tie it out of the way, then undo the positive and do the same with that. It makes it easier to drop in the new battery without it getting caught up on the leads, especially if you have to feed it into the jacket. It may seem a bit over the top but ensures that the terminals don't touch any metal parts.  :y

Cheers mate  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 27 January 2012, 15:19:49
or you can use a power pack if you got auto box its easier then jump starting with another car which i will have to do to the silver one monday
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 15:37:41
or you can use a power pack if you got auto box its easier then jump starting with another car which i will have to do to the silver one monday

can you not jump lead an automatic then ralf?  :-\
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Andy B on 27 January 2012, 15:54:05
or you can use a power pack if you got auto box its easier then jump starting with another car which i will have to do to the silver one monday

can you not jump lead an automatic then ralf?  :-\

Yes you can jump start an auto, good job really as you'd struggle to bump start one  ;) ;) ;) Just suggesting a power packis easier than using  A N Other car to jump from .......... although that depends how handy the other car is & how long your jump leads are.  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 15:55:54
Sorry Andy, what's bump starting?  :-[
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Andy B on 27 January 2012, 16:06:41
Sorry Andy, what's bump starting?  :-[

You're pulling my leg ................ aren't you  ??? ??? ???

Push starting = bump starting ie push car as fast as you can, dip clutch & select 2nd gear, quickly raise clutch to spin engine. Hopefully car will start!! NB make sure your wife/girl friend/other has actually turned the ignition on as originally requested.  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 16:12:55
Sorry Andy, what's bump starting?  :-[

You're pulling my leg ................ aren't you  ??? ??? ???Push starting = bump starting ie push car as fast as you can, dip clutch & select 2nd gear, quickly raise clutch to spin engine. Hopefully car will start!! NB make sure your wife/girl friend/other has actually turned the ignition on as originally requested.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

No mate. I've never had to do this or ever been shown  :-[
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 16:13:23
But thanks for info though :)
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 27 January 2012, 16:29:28
or you can use a power pack if you got auto box its easier then jump starting with another car which i will have to do to the silver one monday

can you not jump lead an automatic then ralf?  :-\
yes you can but i got a power pack for mine because you dont have to stand on the side off the road waiting for some one to give you a jump start its all ways good to have one with an auto box
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 January 2012, 16:30:46
or you can use a power pack if you got auto box its easier then jump starting with another car which i will have to do to the silver one monday

can you not jump lead an automatic then ralf?  :-\
yes you can but i got a power pack for mine because you dont have to stand on the side off the road waiting for some one to give you a jump start its all ways good to have one with an auto box

Cool, cheers Ralf  :y :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 27 January 2012, 16:32:28
Sorry Andy, what's bump starting?  :-[
you are joking steve

You're pulling my leg ................ aren't you  ??? ??? ???Push starting = bump starting ie push car as fast as you can, dip clutch & select 2nd gear, quickly raise clutch to spin engine. Hopefully car will start!! NB make sure your wife/girl friend/other has actually turned the ignition on as originally requested.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

No mate. I've never had to do this or ever been shown  :-[
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 27 January 2012, 16:34:17
mine cost me 25 euro about 7 years ago in germany
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 January 2012, 16:47:32
And with a pack, you shoudl still connect the neg to the engine (on an Omega the engine lifting eye is a good spot)
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 27 January 2012, 16:51:02
never done that and had no problem
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 January 2012, 16:57:00
never done that and had no problem

Be warned, there your eyebrows!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: bored bigyin54 on 27 January 2012, 16:59:02
no my long hair :y :y :y
Title: Re: Car Battery Questions...
Post by: r1 on 28 January 2012, 13:12:31

i was also told that by connecting battery to battery you can get a spark than can upset ecu/etc
the battery to battery way was okay in the 60s when the  electrics  where basic and a heater was a option