🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <63220@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> willie@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu (william hunt) writes:
   My suggestion is to get a good pair of jumper cables for emergency
   situations.  Get a pair with 4 or 2 guage copper wire, copper jaws,
   strong springs, two different color wires, and a least 15 to 20 feet
   long (batteries are always on opposite sides of the cars. Murphy's
   Law).  The concern that most people have that hydrogen from the
   batterys can explode is not true.  I have talked to battery engineers
   about that.  What causes a car battery to explode is when the jumper
   cables are hooked up backwards.  Do not be fooled by the colors of the
   wires in the car, always check the + and - marks on the battery or use
   a volt meter.  I hope this info is useful.

A message from Finland, where jumper cables are common stuff (ever try to
start a car with a weak battery in 40 below zero ?).

Very good jumper cables are the ones used in arc-welding.  You can actually
jump-start a large diesel truck with these (I know, I've done this).  Anything
weaker than that just melts(!) when the kind of load a diesel starter engine
puts on it goes thru it (of course, many trucks have 24V systems, don't try to
jump-start one of these from a 12V car system...)

Caution is advised if you have an electronic ignition system on your car.
Some cheaper models can turn into smoke when jump-starting.  Disconnecting
the positive terminal of the helping car should make things safe, but sometimes
you just have to take the risk if your battery voltage/amperage isn't enough to
give the required boost, and you are forced to leave your engine running.
--
   /* * * Otto J. Makela <otto@jyu.fi> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */
  /* Phone: +358 41 613 847, BBS: +358 41 211 562 (CCITT, Bell 24/12/300) */
 /* Mail: Kauppakatu 1 B 18, SF-40100 Jyvaskyla, Finland, EUROPE         */
/* * * Computers Rule 01001111 01001011 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */