What should the negative battery cable be connected to?

The only connection to a battery post negative should be to another battery negative, the vehicle chassis, and/or the engine block. There should never be a direct negative post path to accessory equipment that has any sort of ground path to external devices.

Where do you connect the negative when charging a car battery?

For a negative-grounded vehicle, connect the POSITIVE (RED) clip from the battery charger to the POSITIVE (POS, P,+) ungrounded post of the battery. Connect the NEGATIVE (BLACK) clip to the vehicle chassis or engine block, away form the battery.

Where does negative terminal connect to?

The ground terminal is the black, minus terminal on the battery, also known as the negative or ground terminal. It connects the vehicle chassis to the minus side of the battery.

What is the small wire on the negative battery terminal?

The heavy wire goes to the engine and is ground for the starter. The smaller wire attaches to the body and is a shield ground.

What terminal do you connect first when charging a car battery?

“Positive first, then negative. When disconnecting the cables from the old battery, disconnect the negative first, then the positive. Connect the new battery in the reverse order, positive then negative.”

What happens if you hook a battery charger up backwards?

A battery can explode when the cables are hooked up backwards. Anyone standing near the battery when it explodes could be seriously injured. Battery explosions can cause burns, permanent disfiguration and blindness.

Can you touch the negative wire on a battery charger?

It is important to ensure that this negative wire is solidly attached before plugging in your charger. Do not touch the wires while the charger is plugged in and turned on, as serious shock or injury may occur. Connect the black clip to the negative batter terminal and the red clip to the positive one.

Can I use the negative terminal on the battery?

The negative terminal on the battery should never be used, as it can cause an explosion or fire. Connect the alligator clips. There should be a black clip and a red clip.

Is it safe to connect a battery negative to the starter?

An isolated power ground inside external equipment is the only condition where a direct battery negative terminal or post connection is safe. The starter and alternator are normally the two highest current devices in a vehicle’s electrical system. The starter can draw hundreds of amperes, a large alternator can source hundreds of amperes.

How do you connect two batteries in parallel?

To join batteries in parallel, use a jumper wire to connect both the positive terminals, and another jumper wire to connect both the negative terminals of both batteries to each other. Negative to negative and positive to positive. You CAN connect your load to ONE of the batteries, and it will drain both equally.