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09-20-2015, 10:58 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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Shorted POS and NEG, any damage?
Hi there. Had a mis-hap today when removing my battery for the winter:
I was using a wrench to loosen off the nuts holding the battery leads down to the posts. For some reason (and I know not to do this, doh!) I did the positive one first. When turning it I touched the wrench to the rock guard on the trailer causing a short circuit. I know this because the ring I was wearing (I know not to do this also, DOH!) was touching the wrench as well and heated up and burned around my entire finger.
I was pretty shaken up and wanted to get back to the house to dress up my finger so I just finished taking off the battery and went home, didn't check for damage. When I go to reconnect my battery and use the electrical systems should I expect any damage?
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09-20-2015, 11:00 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 426
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Not much , if any !
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09-20-2015, 11:10 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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If anything you would only blow the fuse, you should be alright.
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09-20-2015, 11:11 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 9,893
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You may have blown a fuse ............. maybe.........
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09-20-2015, 11:16 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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That's good to hear. Thanks fellas!
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09-20-2015, 11:19 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Look for one like this.
n+yrzw~~_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007)
You may need to Press the small black button.
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"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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09-20-2015, 11:25 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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Just lucky it did not blow up on you, doubt there is any damage or fuses blown but the place where you hit may be burnt or melted a little.
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09-20-2015, 11:32 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DDC
Just lucky it did not blow up on you, doubt there is any damage or fuses blown but the place where you hit may be burnt or melted a little.
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Burnt the ring! The wrench has a dark spot on it now as well.
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09-20-2015, 11:33 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford Idaho
You may need to Press the small black button.
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Ah yes. I've had to use this before. Thanks!
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09-20-2015, 12:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pfafftown NC
Posts: 2,353
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You will have no damage. If you shorted between the positive battery terminal and ground, via your ring, no critical trailer wiring or devices was involved, just the ground cable from battery to the frame. It's just like shorting across the battery. If it was for more than a few seconds you might have damaged the battery.
In my youth I had a battery on my workbench with a battery charger hooked to it. Bumped the cable and the charging clamp twisted down and hit the other battery post. After about 2 seconds the top of the battery blew off. Since then I have always had a cautious respect for the power of a car battery.
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2018:16
Total 239
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09-21-2015, 10:28 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evereddie
You will have no damage. If you shorted between the positive battery terminal and ground, via your ring, no critical trailer wiring or devices was involved, just the ground cable from battery to the frame. It's just like shorting across the battery. If it was for more than a few seconds you might have damaged the battery.
In my youth I had a battery on my workbench with a battery charger hooked to it. Bumped the cable and the charging clamp twisted down and hit the other battery post. After about 2 seconds the top of the battery blew off. Since then I have always had a cautious respect for the power of a car battery.
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Mine's a renewed respect. I have no shortage of experience with working with batteries, but I do tend to let safety precautions slide in favour of speeding things up. Stupid...
After I let go of the wrench it stayed on the post touching the rock guard, for probably 5 seconds. I will definitely be putting a new on next spring.
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09-21-2015, 11:28 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Waterloo Region
Posts: 729
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I didn't think the story was true, but my mechanic told me about some guy he knew fishing around under a dash shorting wires with his wedding ring. It turned red hot and he jerked back and peeled all the skin off his finger. You were lucky.
A 5 second dead short on the terminals with a wrench could have caused some damage - there would have been hundreds of amps flowing through the plates. Probably the easiest way to tell is if the electrolyte in any of the cells has gone cloudy or if the fully-charged rest voltage is below 12.8. Just be sure to remove your jewelry and wear eye protection when you check.
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2005 GMC 2500HD CCSB D/A, Curt E16, Prodigy P2, Garmin RV760LMT w/BC-20 b/u cam
 Self restraint is for the young. I'm old and want it NOW!
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09-21-2015, 04:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,645
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I almost lost my finger the same way when I was first starting to work on cars. Gold is a very good conductor!
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09-21-2015, 05:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 869
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My solution to this potential problem is to never use a wrench to remove battery cables.
I use a socket and a composite driver from Harbor Freight. It's one of the best $6 RV tools I have.
Phil
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09-21-2015, 06:52 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pfafftown NC
Posts: 2,353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmsherman
My solution to this potential problem is to never use a wrench to remove battery cables.
I use a socket and a composite driver from Harbor Freight. It's one of the best $6 RV tools I have.
Phil
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That is a fantastic suggestion!
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09-22-2015, 12:22 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 641
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Your very lucky the battery did not explode! When I was a teen I did the same thing shorting out a car battery. The battery exploded spraying acid every ware. God smiled on me and I was not hurt. My clothes were destroyed along with the cars paint. Hope the finger heals fast. My work will not let me ware the ring of fire at work for safety reasons as I work with electricity there.
Get healed up Tim
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