Understanding the Process: Jump Starting a Car Battery in Series or Parallel"

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of jump-starting a car battery, specifically addressing the connections between a dead battery and a working battery. Participants explore whether the batteries are connected in series or parallel and the implications of these connections.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the reasoning behind connecting the positive and negative terminals of the batteries and question the nature of the connections (series vs. parallel). Some explore the behavior of a dead battery as a power source or a load, while others consider the implications of internal resistance and chemical reactions in batteries.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various interpretations being explored regarding the connections of the batteries. Some participants provide insights into the mechanics of battery behavior, while others express confusion and seek clarification on the concepts discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the complexity of battery behavior, including internal resistance and the need for a higher voltage source to recharge a dead battery. There is also a reference to the potential risks of connecting batteries incorrectly.

  • #31
DaveC426913 said:
Ah. I always wondered how/why they exploded. So they boil!
Melt and arcover.

Had one of the old style open ones explode from a spark from an arcwelder I was using about 15 feet away.
Quite a big bang, I got hit hard enough by bits of the case to leave a couple bruises and needed a shower.
The acid might have made the skin a little pink but no serious burns.
 
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  • #32
The Hydrogen gas released by a charging battery could be the source of an explosion. You need to be conscious of this release, but as mentioned up thread it seems to be a small chance.

When jump starting a car with a dead battery I do not start the car with the good battery. In the past I have seen diodes on the GOOD car get damaged. The problem would be the current draw of the starter, Diodes not not normally carry this current.

One good way to proceed is to connect the good car/battery to the dead car/battery then run the good car till the bad battery has enough charge to start the car. This is a bit slower but greatly reduces the chances of damage to either car.
 
  • #33
Integral said:
The Hydrogen gas released by a charging battery could be the source of an explosion. You need to be conscious of this release, but as mentioned up thread it seems to be a small chance.

When jump starting a car with a dead battery I do not start the car with the good battery. In the past I have seen diodes on the GOOD car get damaged. The problem would be the current draw of the starter, Diodes not not normally carry this current.

One good way to proceed is to connect the good car/battery to the dead car/battery then run the good car till the bad battery has enough charge to start the car. This is a bit slower but greatly reduces the chances of damage to either car.

What are the differences between the two choices?
So the first alternative is to connect a good battery with dead battery and let the good charge the bad. The second alternative is to do that except turn on the engine of the car which contains the good battery. Does the second imply the dead battery is charged by the motor of the car? But the new and dead battery are still connected so wouldn't the new battery charge the dead one as well?
 

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