Can I just disconnect the negative terminal?
You can disconnect whichever terminal you want, or even both, it won’t discharge. Whichever one you choose results in an open circuit so no current can possibly flow.
Can a battery drain with the negative cable disconnected?
A car battery will naturally “self-discharge” at a rate of 5-15% per month with the negative cable disconnected but is the best option for long-term parking if you cannot hook it up to a charger. Leaving the battery hooked up will drain it at 20% or more per week!
What happens when you unplug the negative battery terminal?
If you remove the negative clamp and inadvertently complete a circuit to ground, there will be no current flow because the ground clamp is already grounded. Subsequent shorting of the positive terminal to ground will then produce no current flow because the current has no return path to the negative post.
What if I disconnect the negative battery terminal?
How do you remove car battery cables?
It’s a good idea to wear eye protection when working around batteries. First, unbolt the negative battery cable and disconnect it by lifting it free. It might take some wiggling and twisting to pull it off. Be sure never to let the wrench touch both the negative and positive terminals at the same time.
When to disconnect a negative battery terminal in a car?
It is critical to disconnect a negative battery terminal before starting any work on your car – any car manual or auto mechanic will tell you that. The negative battery terminal is your ground, which keeps you from getting shocked when working on the engines, the electrical, and the fuel parts of your car.
Where is the negative battery cable on a car?
Usually the negative battery cable will be bolted to the engine or somewhere on the vehicle’s frame, while the positive battery cable will usually be bolted to the starter or a fuse box.
How do you disconnect a car battery from a car?
Disconnect the negative connector once the nut is loosened by pulling it off. Set it aside, away from the battery. Loosen the nut on the positive terminal and disconnect it from the battery. Remove the battery, being careful not to let the positive terminal touch any metal part of the car.
Don’t get me wrong, disconnecting your negative terminal on your battery is definitely a going to prolong the battery’s eventual demise and you most certainly are going to get much more time out of it.