Jump Starting - the safe way (another from the series....)

I resuscitated this from an old series

"Hot Tips from Skip" just thought this time of year it might help some one out??

Giving or getting a Jump Start

The safest way is to use a "Jump Box"**. Period. I carry mine all winter BUT if you are not fortunate enough to have one, here is a

method I have been using since a battery blew up in my face (yep thats why I B this way) in 1968. Using this method takes a little more

time BUT protects both vehicles, and their electronics.

** "Jump Box" is a small gell cell 12 volt battery in a plastic box about the size of a Playmate cooler.

Procedure:

1] Shut off the jumper (car doing the jumping)

2] connect red cable, positive post to positive post- (ie battery to battery, make absolutely sure of the correct polarity!!)

3] connect negative cable (aka black) from jumper car alt bracket to jumpee (dead one) negative battery post.

4] Start jumper.

5] Here is the important step, hope you have read this far, let the jumper run on a fast idle (~1500 RPM) for 3 to 5 minutes!!! - Told ya it was going to take some time. Have the person with the dead car sit in your car and tell them the virtues of Subarus.

6] Equally as important -- shut the jumper OFF before cranking the jumpee!!!! This is the key to NOT toasting any electronic

components.

7] Disconnect the cable to the alt bracket first when removing the cables. Thus preventing any sparks near top of battery getting the big charge. You think this is not important? (I saw up close and personal what can happen or you could ask the pilot of the Hindenberg about it)

Theory: warning..here is the boring part

The time period spent talking up Subarus - or what ever - puts a "surface charge" on the dead battery.

The cranking amps needed to turn the dead car over are pulled mainly from this surface charge and NOT on the jumper's alt.

Plus when it fires the twin battery hook up, remember the cables are still connected, buffers any surge as the VR does not see a completely dead battery.

I hope this helps and thanks for reading.

I most heartily welcome comments, corrections, rebuts, or other statements about this procedure.

As I said I have only been using it for about 35 years so I am sure there is room for improvement.

Remember: Be careful out there.