Jumper Cables with surge protector and auto polarity adjustment

[MDLockard]

I was watching MotorWeek and Pat Goss was discussing jumper cables. http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/goss/2908.shtml. He suggested modern cars (especially the electronics) can be damaged by jumper cables. He said to throw them away and use a battery booster or the new Smart Jumper Cables from Michelin.

I'm especially interested in jumper cable with surge protections (not sure the auto adjusted polarity is necessary). I'm looking for feedback on how much damage jumper cables can do and if jumper cables with surge protection are the solution. I also want to know if other folks make jumper cables with surge protectors. I do know connecting jumper cables wrong is a big problem!

I drive a 2010 Mazda 3 S Sport 6 speed manual with the 2.5. On a side note I'm not supposed to compression start it because it can damage the cat.

Here's another option: these are Smart Jumper Cables from Michelin. Now, the first thing that you'll notice about these is that there's this big box in the middle of the cables. This is a module-it's a smart module. Next thing you'll notice is that all four cable ends are blue. So, here's the drill: you start with the car that is running-has the good battery. You hook up two of the cable ends, doesn't make any difference which way you hook them up because polarity is going to be controlled inside the module. Then you come over to the car with the dead battery, you take one of the remaining ends and hook it to the positive battery cable. Now you never hook booster cables-both of them-on the car with the dead battery, right to the battery. You always connect the last connection-the ground connection-to a good clean metal surface on the engine, not to the body because that can lead to its own set of problems. So, just make sure you're connecting it to something that doesn't move, and you've got a good connection.

Alright, you can also tell by looking at the module because the module has two warning lights on it. They're both lit, then everything is good to go. If one of them isn't, then you wiggle the cable ends around until you get a good connection. Both lights are lit-wait a couple of minutes, start the car with the dead battery and disconnect the cables. And no, you don't have to worry about the surge, because this module has a built-in surge protector that protects both vehicles against that deadly voltage surge.

[greasemonkey]

You don't need any of that. Just need to know how to hook up jumper cables properly. First make sure vehicles are close enough for cables to reach set parking brakes on both vehicles. Make sure vehicles are in park or neutral. Now this is the most important part make sure both vehicles are off with keys in the off position. Best way to make sure of this is to remove the keys in both vehicles. When working with batteries it is always best to wear a face shield or at least safety glasses to protect your eyes and a pair of rubber gloves is also recommended. Now all you are doing is hooking up batteries with out having to worry about damaging any electrical components. Now take the red positive cable end and attach it to the positive terminal on the good battery, then attach the other end of the red positive cable to the positive terminal of the bad battery. Make sure the neg cable end closes to the bad battery is not touching any metal at this time. Now go to the good battery and hook up the black negative cable end to the negative terminal of the battery. You can now connect the black negative cable end to a good ground point on the dead car. The reason you don't hook up to the battery negative terminal is that it may cause a spark witch may cause the battery to explode. If you are one of those who thinks it will never happen to you, I know of at least one mechanic who thought that he is now legally blind so be very careful and make sure you use safety gear and use a fan to ventilate the area. Now that you have the batteries connected try to start the dead vehicle, if it does not start try wiggling the cables. If that does not work take the key out of the dead vehicle and start the good running car, let it run for at least 5 minutes to give the other battery time to charge a little(the longer you wait the better the charge). Now turn off the car and remove the key and try and start the dead vehicle again. Never try starting the vehicle with the other vehicle running. This will start the vehicle but when the dead vehicle charging system kicks in you will send a surge though the electrical systems of both cars. Which may cause damage. It is always best to just use the battery to just start the dead vehicle and use the good running vehicle to charge the dead vehicles battery to give it enough juice to start. Good luck HTH Greasemonkey

[Ford_Dude]

I would like to add. Buy the REAL THICK cables. The thicker the better, I have had small gauge cables let me down.

Ford_Dude

[MDLockard]

Thanks to both of you. I know a lot of folks who carry jumper cables but don't know how to use them. I've used jumper cables in the past and been very careful to hook it up in the right order. I did not know the tip about turning the car with the good battery off. I carry safety glasses and gloves in my car (leather and cotton). I may add a rubber pair.

I had two friends jump starting a car and stood back behind the hood and the cars. It's rare for them to explode buy I'd rather be behind the hood and car if there's no reason for me to be there (another guy hooked up the cables).