How to Jump Start

[Patriot Diesel]

My wifes car had a dead battery today. Since I had no idea how to jump start using the mighty cummins, I had the car dealer come over and pick the car up. Is it safe to jump start another vehicle, using our vehicles, and if so, what is the best (safest) method ?



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2000 2500HD QUADCAB CUMMINS, AUTO WITH 3. 54'S,LB,4x4,ALL OPTIONS MINUS LEATHER,UWS DP TOOL BOX,SPORTMASTER CUSTOM MADE SOFT TONNEAU,CARR STEP, VENTVISOR, 305/70/16 PRO COMP'S, RANCHO RS9000, PATRIOT BLUE/DRIFTWOOD

 

[HC]

The dual battery system of the Cummins doesn't really change any of the standard rules that I am aware of. I think there is always some [very small] risk when you hook your system to someone else's defective system; a voltage spike could do damage; but I also suspect this is very rare. I think one of the most important safety precautions is that when you make the last connection, it should NOT be on the dead battery because you don't want your face anywhere near it. If any battery is gassing, and going to explode, it is the dead one, so the last thing you want to do is lean over it and then create a spark with that final connection.
If you want detailed, step by step instructions, both vehicle owner's manuals probably have them; the dual battery system just gives you two choices for where to hook up to your truck.

 

[DavesDodge]

Jeff-HC is correct-do not get your face anywhere near the dead battery-the nice thing about the dual batteries in our trucks is you do not have to have the engine running, due to the amperage capacity. Check the owners manual in the dead vehicle for the recommended procedure.

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2001,2500,QC,SLT,4x4,
Cummins HO,6 spd. ,3. 54 gears,SBox,Dark Garnet/Pearl, all options but leather/snowplow/Sport, the elusive front license plate bracket,"Cup Smoothie" Autometer gauges on A pilar, LineX bed liner, Cobra CB,Westin nerfs, Power tailgate lock,auto on/off headlights, backup alarm, real backup lights. More To Come! Big Dog on the Mountain! Engineer Pass,Co.

 

[illflem]

Only thing I might add is that with todays computerized vehicals it's better if the one giving the jump isn't running.

 

[madams]

Everyone's a winner!

The safety issues raised are very correct! And the NOT running is also important due to the computerized items effected by voltage spikes. This is important with ANY car.

I always shut my vehicle off. Connect up the dead battery first . . being careful with the polarity. Then . . connect the positive lead to my battery first. . then make the final connection (ground) somewhere to the frame of my truck.

This gets your face and body away from the battery just in case it explodes.

If you've ever seen a battery fail . . you'd know why that last connection away from the battery is so important.

Im not sure which battery is a better one to connect to . . but since the passenger side battery seems further away from the electronics side of the truck . . I choose the passenger side battery.

Maybe someone else can chime in to confirm whether there is a preferred battery.

Be Safe!
Michael

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 01-28-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

The preferred battery is one closest to the rig you are jumping!

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

The last vehicle I had to jump was a Phord (naturally) and I never gave a thought to not jumping it because of 2 batteries. I never realized the vehicle giving the jump should not be running to avoid computer issues. I guess I agree with this but if the vehicle giving the jump is not running, you could very easily have a dead battery yourself in 2 seconds... even with the dual batteries.

The joys of living in cold country!

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99 2500 SLT QC, 2WD, 5 spd, 3. 54 LSD, Towing Pkg, Camper Pkg, Boards, Cab Lights, Fog Lights, Cobra CB, Not Bombed (YET)

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Hey Guys Thanks for the quick responses. I learned something new this weekend. Never thought about not leaving the car running, sounds like a good idea. To add, my wifes vehicle is a 99 Montero, battery was shot, vehicle less than two years old.

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2000 2500HD QUADCAB CUMMINS, AUTO WITH 3. 54'S,LB,4x4,ALL OPTIONS MINUS LEATHER,UWS DP TOOL BOX,SPORTMASTER CUSTOM MADE SOFT TONNEAU,CARR STEP, VENTVISOR, 305/70/16 PRO COMP'S, RANCHO RS9000, RS5000 STABILIZER, AMSOIL 15W-40, PATRIOT BLUE/DRIFTWOOD

 

[Frank J. Lloyd]

Make sure you have the best jumper cables you can get. I would reccomend at least 4 guage professional grade. I use a set I made out of 2/0 welding cable. The bigger the cable the less the resistance and the faster/easier it is to jump off other vehicles. Make sure the ground connection on your truck is good. Try to find somewhere without paint, like a bolt or something to the frame or body.

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2001 3500 4x4 H. O. 6 speed 4. 10, SLT, Cab and Chassis, 163" wheelbase western hauler stake bed 3" straight pipe, silencer ring AWOL, boost & pyro gauge, K&N, Geno's one touch oil valve, Cobra 29 bombed, Halogen backup lights, cargo bed loading area flood lights, 6" driving lights, underbed boxes, pacbrake
ready to bomb
Big Red is ready to roll!

 

[Deezal Man]

I will also agree on the "engine running" issue. After helping a friend who left his lights on... After I made connection, it really put a load on my car.
Well, guess who was replacing an alternator in my car about 2 weeks later. Coincidence? I tend to think not... but I can't be sure.

Something that "I" think is important is to let both batteries equalize a little.

Let the good battery charge the drained one for a few minutes before attempting to start the car. Puts less strain on the good battery. After all, its already sucking enough juice to replenish the battery.
OMO

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[Big-D]

In helping another person by providing a "jump" from my battery the very first thing I would do is to disconnect the positive lead from the battery I am going to use for jumping. Assuming the vehicle you are jumping to is only suffering from a dead battery and will start without difficulty, there really isn't a big drain on your battery. Hence, no need to have your truck running or turned off. The chances of causing a spike to your trucks electronic system is much greater than the time it takes to remove the battery terminal before jumping. Just my opinion for I have given jump starts before without negitive problems to my vehicle by thuis method. That way everyone is happy. Dave

 

[illflem]

Dave,you can just as well remove the negitive terminal to isolate the battery. Advantage is that you don't need to worry about your wrench shorting between the positive terminal and a metal ground on the truck.

 

[DavesDodge]

One more comment/suggestion-look up the thread on connectors for jump starting-I personally have a forklift battery connector mounted on the drivers side front that I plug my jumper cables into when I need to jump someone. I use the 2/0 welding cable also-mine are 30' long-heavy, but no loss of current for a normal jump.

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2001,2500,QC,SLT,4x4,
Cummins HO,6 spd. ,3. 54 gears,SBox,Dark Garnet/Pearl, all options but leather/snowplow/Sport, the elusive front license plate bracket,"Cup Smoothie" Autometer gauges on A pilar, LineX bed liner, Cobra CB,Westin nerfs, Power tailgate lock,auto on/off headlights, backup alarm, real backup lights. More To Come! Big Dog on the Mountain! Engineer Pass,Co.