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From: gvcormack@watdaisy.UUCP (Gordon V. Cormack)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Baby it's cold outside
Message-ID: <6880@watdaisy.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 25-Jan-85 09:18:52 EST
Article-I.D.: watdaisy.6880
Posted: Fri Jan 25 09:18:52 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 26-Jan-85 04:49:39 EST
References: <159@ur-cvsvax.UUCP> <1880@sdcc6.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 25

> batteries - but it does!) The current from booster cables was going
> through the smallest resistance, i.e. through my battery and not the
> starter. I think it should be kept in mind when jump-starting a car,
> but I haven't seen this mentioned in any troubleshooting manual.
> 
>                                         Erek Behr, UCSD
>                                         (sdcc6!ix654)

This is impossible.  The resistance of the starter is less than 0.1
ohms.  If there were really an internal short of less than 0.1 ohms
inside the battery, more than 100 amps (i.e. 1200 watts) would be
produced.  Connecting the booster cables to such a battery would
cause sparking resembling an arc welder.  What is more likely is
that originally the booster cables were not connected well, and
after removing the original battery a better connection was made
(what did you have in its place?).

It has already been mentioned on this net, but I will re-iterate the
fact that you need REALLY good cables and connectors to transfer
enough current to start a cold car.  With most cables, the best you
can do is help the existing battery a bit.  Waiting with the cables
connected before trying charges the existing battery slightly and
also warms it from the charging current.

Gordon V. Cormack  gvcormack@watdaisy.uucp gvcormack%watdaisy@waterloo.csnet