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From: ix654@sdcc6.UUCP (ix654)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Re: Baby it's cold outside
Message-ID: <1898@sdcc6.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Feb-85 20:09:48 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc6.1898
Posted: Fri Feb  1 20:09:48 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 5-Feb-85 04:52:46 EST
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Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
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> > 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?).  (.....)
>                                       Gordon V. Cormack 
    That's exactly what surprised me - there was _nothing_ in its
place! I just broke the battery circuit (b.t.w., there were no arc
welder sparks to be seen.)    
                                      E. B.