by James Dreamer

Created on: September 13, 2010

The most difficult task your car battery must perform is starting the engine. Nothing else even comes close. If it has any weaknesses, the problem will most likely show up during the engine starting procedure. However, when your battery cannot provide the energy necessary to turn the engine over, it can be jump started using another energy source.

The additional energy can come from any heavy duty twelve volt supply. A portable jump starter containing its own battery, an AC battery charger with boost feature, even a gas powered generator with a twelve volt output. The most common procedure however, is to connect to another vehicle using jumper cables.

Whichever method you employ, the goal is to connect the external energy supply in parallel with your battery to form one large twelve volt power source. To accomplish this, positive must be attached to positive and negative to negative. Positive is identified by the + symbol or the color red. Negative is indicated by the - sign or the color black.

If you are using a dedicated device for jump starting, there will be one red and one black clamp. If possible, switch the power off to the device while you make the connections. Connect the red cable to the positive side of the battery. Connect the black cable to a solid metal bolt or bracket attached to the engine.

It is not recommended to attach the final connection near the battery. Batteries produce combustible gasses. Many times, the final connection will create a spark at the point of contact and can cause these gasses to detonate resulting in property damage and/or injury. Always make the final connection away from anything flammable.

If you are using jumper cables, you will have to make four connections between both vehicles. These should be made in the following order to prevent damage or injury. Clamp one end of the red cable to the positive side of the dead battery making sure the other end in not in contact with either vehicle. Connect the other end to the positive side of the good battery. Clamp one end of the black cable to the negative side of the good battery. Adhering to the warning stated above, make the final connection to a good ground near the engine of the dead car.

To complete the jump start, make sure there is power coming from the additional source. Most dedicated jump starters have a switch that must be turned on. Battery chargers must be plugged in and set to boost mode. If jumper cables are used, the good vehicle can be started for maximum voltage output. Now start the dead vehicle, when it starts, turn off the additional power source and remove the cables in the reverse order of installation. Congratulations, you have completed the jump start process.

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