Hi, I'm in USA, and the battery died when my car was transported to me from the UK. It is a US spec car. I have a lithium battery jump starter. Obviously I put the red clamp on the positive terminal. Do I put the black clamp on the negative terminal, or should I try to find unpainted area of the frame in which to clamp on the black clamp. I think though that the frame is painted. Thanks for your help.
John

 

Hi jphass,
From what you stated I assume that you have a negative ground car. Series I cars can be positive ground (usually 3.8L) and negative ground (4.2L). If it is a negative ground car I would put the positive (red) clamp on the positive battery terminal and the negative clamp (black) on the and unpainted part of the engine block or bolt on the block. If you put the negative clamp on the frame rail it has to cross a ground strap from the frame to the block to the starter.

 

Thanks Bob. Yes, 4.2 L car.

Regards,
John

 

The issue around jumping a dead battery is about not having a spark near the battery. The fact your jumper is lithium is not a factor. Dead/dying lead acid batteries tend to off gas hydrogen so a spark near the battery, like at a terminal at the battery, can trigger a nasty explosion. Best practice is to attach the "hot" terminal at the battery first (usually the positive side) then attach the ground some place remote from the battery - the further away the better. That way if there's a spark when you connect the second lead it will be far enough away from the battery to avoid igniting an explosion. I've seen a blown up battery and it's not pretty, if for no other reason that it sprays acid all over the engine compartment - not to mention potentially in the face of the person jumping the car.

 

Thank you, Gridley. Sometimes the cables are not long enough to use best practices. I prefer new cars that have posts away from the battery. It is good to wear eye protection when doing this as well.

John

 

Just as a side note though, most of the new small lithium jump packs have 2 things : 1) an on /off switch ,2 )small led indicators to showpolarity is correct. And most wont even turn on if hooked incorrectly.
But the mainpoint is with the short leads and the on off switch is you "can connect" straight to both terminals on battery if that all that will reach , with out the fear of spark , because you turn it "on" after leads are connected.

 

Good point!
John