When you’re connecting a car battery, you may be wondering which terminal you should connect first. Should it be the red terminal or the black terminal?
In this article, not only will you find out which terminal you should connect first, but you’ll also learn why it’s so important and what can go wrong if you connect them the wrong way round!
So keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
When Connecting A Car Battery Which Terminal First?
It’s an age-old conundrum when connecting a car battery: Red or black first? Sure, it looks simple enough when looking at the terminals – red on the positive and black on the negative – but if you don’t know which way around it goes, you could find yourself up a creek without a paddle!
The answer is quite simple: when connecting a car battery, you should always connect the positive terminal (marked with red) first. This will ensure that when connecting the negative terminal (the black one), no sparks fly, and no damage is done.
Why Do You Connect The Positive Terminal First?
It’s important when connecting a car battery to connect the positive terminal first for two main reasons.
Firstly, it helps to avoid any shorting between the terminals when making the connection, which could potentially be electrical components.
Secondly, connecting the positive terminal first means that any built-up static electricity will be safely discharged when connecting the negative terminal, helping to prevent any accidental sparks.
And lastly, by connecting the positive before the negative, you reduce the chance of electricity going through you, so you don’t have to worry about getting an electric shock!
How Do You Connect Cables To Cables To Battery Terminals?
Now that you know when connecting a car battery which terminal should be connected first, you might be wondering how to actually do it.
It’s quite simple – start by attaching the cable from the positive terminal of the car battery to the corresponding positive terminal on your device. Then, attach the cable from the negative terminal of the car battery to the corresponding negative terminal on your device.
Once you’ve made sure that both connections are secure, you can then connect the car battery cables to the car battery terminals.
And there you have it! Now when connecting a car battery, you’ll know exactly which terminal to connect to first. No more guessing or worrying about damaging your car battery – just follow the steps above, and voila! You’re good to go.
So now, when it comes time to connect your car battery, remember: red on the positive and black on the negative. That way, you can be sure no sparks will fly – and your car battery will stay safe.
Why Does My Car Battery Spark When I Connect It?
If your battery sparks when you’re connecting it, then the most likely reason is simply that you had some electrical accessories left on. However, as well as this, it could also be because you connected them the wrong way around or in the wrong order.
(Find out more about why your battery sparked when you tried to connect it.)
Why Does My Car Try To Start When I Connect The Battery
If when you’re connecting the battery, your car tries to start when you connect it, then it is likely because of a faulty starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is what helps to start the car when you turn the key, and when it’s faulty can cause your car to instantly start when connecting the battery.
As well as this, it could also be the posts of the battery are making contact, closing the circuit.
What Happens If You Connect A Car Battery Backwards?
Connecting a battery backward cannot only cause serious harm to the battery itself, but it can also damage the other electrical in your car as well as risk harm to yourself as well!
Not only do you risk stopping your car from starting altogether, but in rare cases, hooking up a battery backward can even cause it to explode!
What Happens If You Connect The Negative Terminal First?
Connecting the negative terminal first when connecting a car battery can cause sparks to fly when trying to connect the positive terminal, and this can damage both your battery and other electrical components in your car.
On top of this, if the wrench you’re using comes into contact while you’re tightening the connection, then it will complete the circuit between the cars ground and your wrench.
Recap
So when connecting a car battery, make sure you connect the positive terminal first and the negative terminal second. This will help to prevent electrical damage to your car, as well as any potential sparks when connecting the terminals.
Never try to connect a car battery backward, or even just connect the negative terminal first – this could cause serious damage.