| Revision as of 20:23, 8 July 2013 editCantaloupe2 (talk | contribs)5,132 edits The footnotes, however were PERSONAL websites, which are as good as uncited gibberish, see WP:RS and WP:USERG.Undid revision 563033378 by Dennis Bratland (talk)← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:31, 8 July 2013 edit undoDennis Bratland (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users61,245 edits restoring version which cites reliable sources, deleting external inks to personal web sitesNext edit → | ||
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| {{About|a method of starting an ] with a discharged battery|other uses|Jump start (disambiguation){{!}}Jump start}} | {{About|a method of starting an ] with a discharged battery|other uses|Jump start (disambiguation){{!}}Jump start}} | ||
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| ]s, also called automotive clips, on a set of ]]] | ]s, also called automotive clips, on a set of ]]] | ||
| A '''jump start''', also called a '''boost''', is a method of starting an ] |
A '''jump start''', also called a '''boost''', is a method of starting an ] or other vehicle powered by an ] when the vehicle's ] has been ]. A second battery (often in another vehicle) is temporarily connected to provide starting power to the disabled vehicle. Once the disabled vehicle's engine is running, its ] or ] should recharge the dead battery, so the second battery can be disconnected. | ||
| Most motor vehicles use a ] that provides power to a ] for the ]. When the engine is running, electrical power from its ] restores the charge to the battery in preparation for the next start. When a battery is discharged, as for example by ]s left on while the engine is off, the car's engine will not "turn over" when the ignition key is turned and the vehicle will not start. | |||
| ⚫ | == Jumper cables (jump leads) == | ||
| ⚫ | {{Other uses|Jumper cable (disambiguation)}} | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| Many motorists carry jumper cables (known in the UK as jump leads) which consist of a pair of heavy ], ]d wires with ]s at each end. Jumper cables are available in various lengths. The size of copper conductors varies from about #10 ] for light duty sets, to #1 AWG. The alligator clips generally have color-coded, vinyl-coated (PVC) insulation to prevent electrical short circuits. Most clips fit both top- and side-mounted battery terminals. Top-quality clips are made of solid copper; lesser-quality are made of material such as copper-plated steel. Jumper cables are marked by black (-) and red (+) handles, representing the two ] of the automobile's ] system. Interchanging the polarities will cause damage to one or both automobiles, possibly including blown ]s and ]s, and could cause a battery explosion. ] recommend connecting the negative (black) cable last and disconnecting it first, since charging may produce hydrogen gas, which could explode if there is a spark; if this ruptured the battery casing, it would then spray ], possibly over the person performing the jump start (see ] for consequences). Connecting the positive (red) cable while the negative cable is connected may also cause a spark and battery explosion.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Haynes Repair Manual, Toyota Corolla 1984 thru 1992|isbn=1-56392-064-6|pages=5–2}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==Limitations== | ||
| Operation of a lead-acid battery may, in case of overcharge, produce flammable ] gas by ] inside the battery. Jump start procedures are usually found in the vehicle owner's manual.<ref>{{cite book|title=2004 Owner's Manual,`Toyota Camry Solara, Toyota Publication No. OM33596U, for an example of an owner's manual}}</ref><ref>http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1986/1986_240/86240_03b.htm On-line version of a 1986 Volvo 240 owner's manual, page 64, shows jump start procedure</ref> The recommended sequence<ref>{{cite book|first=Horst|last=Bauer|title=Bosch Automotive Handbook 4th Edition|publisher=Robert Bosch GmbH|location=]|year=1996|isbn=0-8376-0333-1|pages=806–807}}</ref> of connections is intended to reduce the chance of accidentally shorting the good battery or igniting hydrogen gas. Owner's manuals will show the preferred locations for connection of jumper cables; for example, some vehicles have the battery mounted under a seat, or may have a jumper terminal in the engine compartment. | |||
| Motorists can be severely injured by a battery explosion. In the United States in 1994, a research note by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association estimated that about 442 persons were injured by exploding batteries while attempting a jump-start.<ref>{{cite web|title=Injuries Associated with Hazards Involving Motor Vehicle Batteries|publisher=''Road Management and Engineering Journal'' and TranSafety|url=http://www.usroads.com/journals/rmej/9808/rm980801.htm|accessdate=August 2, 2007}}</ref><ref>Organizations such as Prevent Blindness America recommend use of splash-resistant safety goggles to protect the eyes while connecting cables. {{cite web|url=http://www.preventblindness.org/safety/battery.html|title=Prevent Blindness|publisher=Prevent Blindness|accessdate=August 10, 2007}}</ref> | |||
| ==Auxiliary power sources:== | |||
| Current from the boosting vehicle will charge the dead battery if it is still capable of being charged. After several minutes enough energy is transferred to allow cranking of the engine. If the connections are good and the cables are large, the boosting vehicle battery may also supply part of the cranking current. In an extreme case, it is possible to crank and start a vehicle with no battery in it (or where the battery is not capable of holding a charge) if the cables are heavy-duty. Cranking current drawn through light-gauge cables in this way will damage them by overheating; electrical resistance of a thinner wire is higher than that of a thicker wire, and resistance dissipates electrical energy into heat. | |||
| ⚫ | == |
||
| ⚫ | {{Other uses|Jumper cable (disambiguation)}} | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| Jumper cables also known as booster cables or jump leads are a pair of ]d wires of sufficient capacity with ]s at each end to interconnect the disabled equipment/vehicle with an auxiliary source such as another vehicle or equipment with the same system voltage or to another battery. The alligator clips may be covered in insulation to prevent inadvertent shorting. Clips maybe made of copper or steel. Alligator clips are generally marked by black (-) and red (+) to indicate the polarity. | |||
| If the discharged battery case is cracked, or the battery has a low ] level, or is frozen, a jump start will not restore normal operation. A jump start is only effective for a discharged battery and cannot resolve other faults including a lack of fuel, a failed battery, or other mechanical problems. Even after a successful jump start a vehicle may not be able to resume normal operation if the reason for the dead battery is a failed charging system. Loss of voltage from the vehicle battery may have wide-ranging effects—from a trivial loss of radio receiver preset stations to a significant loss of security codes or engine control parameters. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| The interconnected systems must have the same voltage designation. | |||
| == Motorcycles == | |||
| Many very old motorcycles (and cars) have 6-volt systems and cannot be jump started safely with a modern car,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schultz |first=Mort |title=What you may not know about jump starting |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=dM8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42 |periodical=Popular Mechanics |date=December 1979 |volume =152 |issue= 6 |issn=0032-4558}}</ref> but newer designs with 12-volt systems may be jump started with a 12-volt vehicle. <!-- Unlike jumping another car, when starting a motorcycle this way, the car providing the jump must be turned off to avoid overloading the motorcycle, causing the fuses to blow or damage to the electrical system. explain this, please --> Car batteries can generally jump start a motorcycle easily without any help from the car's alternator.<ref>{{Cite book | |||
| |last=Duglin Kennedy |year=2005 |title=The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles|first=Shirley|publisher=Indy Tech Publishing |isbn=0-7906-1316-6, 9780790613161 |page=33 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=kEX7Ncd3hO4C&pg=PA33 }}</ref> An alternative is to ] the motorcycle.<ref>{{Cite book | |||
| |title=Gearhead |periodical=American Motorcyclist |date=December 1997 |volume= 51 |issue= 12 |isbn=0277-9358 |publisher=American Motorcyclist Assoc |url=http://books.google.com/?id=IfYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41&dq=keep+vehicle+turned+off#v=onepage&q=keep%20vehicle%20turned%20off }}</ref> | |||
| ==Alternatives to jumper cables== | |||
| === Battery booster and jump starter === | |||
| ⚫ | A hand-portable battery, equipped with attached cables and charger, can be used similarly to another vehicle's battery. | ||
| Portable boosters may automatically sense the battery's polarity prior to sending power to the vehicle, eliminating the damage that can result from reversing the connection. | |||
| Auxiliary source can replenish the dead battery if it is still capable of accepting a charge. After several minutes enough energy is transferred to allow cranking of the engine along with the power from the auxiliary power source that is left connected as the engine is cranked. | |||
| ===Battery charger=== | |||
| If the dead battery is physically damaged, has a low ] level, decayed, or is frozen, a jump start will not repair the battery. A jump start can get the engine started when its primary battery is discharged or is not able to provide sufficient current due to decay or environmental conditions. The power demand for starting the engine increase and battery's ability to provide power decrease with decrease in temperature.<!-- Unlike jumping another car, when starting a motorcycle this way, the car providing the jump must be turned off to avoid overloading the motorcycle, causing the fuses to blow or damage to the electrical system. explain this, please --> | |||
| Motorists and service garages often have portable ]s operated from ]. Very small "trickle" chargers are intended only to maintain a charge on a parked or stored vehicle, but larger chargers can put enough charge into a battery to allow a start within a few minutes. Battery chargers may be strictly manual, or may include controls for time and charging voltage. Some chargers are equipped with "boost" settings that supply a large current to assist in cranking the engine. Battery chargers that apply high voltage (for example, more than 14.4 volts on a 12 volt nominal system) will result in emission of hydrogen gas from the battery, which may damage it or create an explosion risk.{{fact|date=May 2013}} A battery may be recharged without removal from the vehicle, although in a typical roadside situation no convenient source of power may be nearby and a solar-powered charger may be used to charge the battery over time. | |||
| ===Push starting=== | |||
| {{Main|Push start}} | |||
| A vehicle with a ] may be push started. This requires caution while pushing the vehicle and may require the assistance of several persons or another vehicle if the battery is fully discharged. If the vehicle battery cannot provide enough power to the ignition system, push starting will be ineffective. Vehicles with diesel engines might take a few attemps to push-start if the battery charge is to low to power the ] for preheating. Most vehicles with ]s cannot be started this way because the hydraulic ] in the transmission will not allow the engine to be driven by the wheels. {{citation-needed|date=October 2012}} | |||
| ==Voltage problem== | |||
| Heavy vehicles such as large trucks, excavation equipment, or big vehicles with ] engines may use 24-volt electrical systems. They usually have a 24 V supply using two 12 V automotive batteries in ]: it is therefore possible to jump-start a vehicle with a 12 V electrical system using only one of the two batteries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tech Article:24 Volt Systems|publisher=BJ Series Land Cruisers|url=http://cruisers.bitwalla.com/articles/24v.html|accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| Vintage cars may have 6-volt electrical systems, or may connect the positive terminal of the battery to the chassis. The methods intended for boosting 12-volt, negative-ground vehicles cannot be used in such cases. | |||
| ====Self-contained battery pack==== | |||
| ⚫ | A portable battery |
||
| Passenger vehicles with ]s may not be possible to "boost" from other vehicles; professional assistance would be required to prevent severe damage to the vehicle and possible personal injury (see ]). ]s may have a very small 12 volt battery system unsuitable for sourcing the large amount of current required to boost a conventional vehicle.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}} However, as the 12-volt system of a hybrid vehicle is only required to start up the control system of the vehicle, a very small portable battery may successfully boost a hybrid that has accidentally discharged its 12-volt system; the main propulsion battery is unlikely to also have been discharged. | |||
| == Military vehicles == | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Generally referred to as "slave starting" in military parlance, the jump starting procedure has been simplified for military vehicles. Tactical vehicles used by NATO militaries possess 24-volt electrical systems and, in accordance with ] 4074, have standard slave receptacles for easy connection. A slave cable is plugged in to the receptacle on each vehicle, and the dead vehicle is started with the live vehicle's engine running. | |||
| == |
== See also == | ||
| *] used in the cables | |||
| Some battery chargers are designed to supplement the power to start the engine. The battery is left to charge for a short period of time and engine is cranked with the charger left connected. The starter receives power from charge that was added into the battery as well as the boost charger. | |||
| *] | |||
| ===<nowiki/>=== | |||
| {{Wikibooks|Automobile Repair/Jump start}} | {{Wikibooks|Automobile Repair/Jump start}} | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| == External links == | |||
| * - The AA (United Kingdom) | |||
| * by Matthew Wright, About.com | |||
| * by ]'s ] and ], "Click and Clack, the ] Brothers" | |||
| * by Car Care Council | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 20:31, 8 July 2013
This article is about a method of starting an automobile with a discharged battery. For other uses, see Jump start.
A jump start, also called a boost, is a method of starting an automobile or other vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine when the vehicle's battery has been discharged. A second battery (often in another vehicle) is temporarily connected to provide starting power to the disabled vehicle. Once the disabled vehicle's engine is running, its alternator or generator should recharge the dead battery, so the second battery can be disconnected.
Most motor vehicles use a battery that provides power to a starter motor for the engine. When the engine is running, electrical power from its alternator restores the charge to the battery in preparation for the next start. When a battery is discharged, as for example by headlights left on while the engine is off, the car's engine will not "turn over" when the ignition key is turned and the vehicle will not start.
Jumper cables (jump leads)
For other uses, see Jumper cable (disambiguation).
Many motorists carry jumper cables (known in the UK as jump leads) which consist of a pair of heavy gauge, insulated wires with alligator clips at each end. Jumper cables are available in various lengths. The size of copper conductors varies from about #10 AWG for light duty sets, to #1 AWG. The alligator clips generally have color-coded, vinyl-coated (PVC) insulation to prevent electrical short circuits. Most clips fit both top- and side-mounted battery terminals. Top-quality clips are made of solid copper; lesser-quality are made of material such as copper-plated steel. Jumper cables are marked by black (-) and red (+) handles, representing the two polarities of the automobile's direct current system. Interchanging the polarities will cause damage to one or both automobiles, possibly including blown electrical fuses and circuit boards, and could cause a battery explosion. Car manuals recommend connecting the negative (black) cable last and disconnecting it first, since charging may produce hydrogen gas, which could explode if there is a spark; if this ruptured the battery casing, it would then spray sulfuric acid, possibly over the person performing the jump start (see acid burn for consequences). Connecting the positive (red) cable while the negative cable is connected may also cause a spark and battery explosion.
Limitations
Operation of a lead-acid battery may, in case of overcharge, produce flammable hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water inside the battery. Jump start procedures are usually found in the vehicle owner's manual. The recommended sequence of connections is intended to reduce the chance of accidentally shorting the good battery or igniting hydrogen gas. Owner's manuals will show the preferred locations for connection of jumper cables; for example, some vehicles have the battery mounted under a seat, or may have a jumper terminal in the engine compartment.
Motorists can be severely injured by a battery explosion. In the United States in 1994, a research note by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association estimated that about 442 persons were injured by exploding batteries while attempting a jump-start.
Current from the boosting vehicle will charge the dead battery if it is still capable of being charged. After several minutes enough energy is transferred to allow cranking of the engine. If the connections are good and the cables are large, the boosting vehicle battery may also supply part of the cranking current. In an extreme case, it is possible to crank and start a vehicle with no battery in it (or where the battery is not capable of holding a charge) if the cables are heavy-duty. Cranking current drawn through light-gauge cables in this way will damage them by overheating; electrical resistance of a thinner wire is higher than that of a thicker wire, and resistance dissipates electrical energy into heat.
If the discharged battery case is cracked, or the battery has a low electrolyte level, or is frozen, a jump start will not restore normal operation. A jump start is only effective for a discharged battery and cannot resolve other faults including a lack of fuel, a failed battery, or other mechanical problems. Even after a successful jump start a vehicle may not be able to resume normal operation if the reason for the dead battery is a failed charging system. Loss of voltage from the vehicle battery may have wide-ranging effects—from a trivial loss of radio receiver preset stations to a significant loss of security codes or engine control parameters.
Motorcycles
Many very old motorcycles (and cars) have 6-volt systems and cannot be jump started safely with a modern car, but newer designs with 12-volt systems may be jump started with a 12-volt vehicle. Car batteries can generally jump start a motorcycle easily without any help from the car's alternator. An alternative is to push start the motorcycle.
Alternatives to jumper cables
Battery booster and jump starter
A hand-portable battery, equipped with attached cables and charger, can be used similarly to another vehicle's battery.
Portable boosters may automatically sense the battery's polarity prior to sending power to the vehicle, eliminating the damage that can result from reversing the connection.
Battery charger
Motorists and service garages often have portable battery chargers operated from AC power. Very small "trickle" chargers are intended only to maintain a charge on a parked or stored vehicle, but larger chargers can put enough charge into a battery to allow a start within a few minutes. Battery chargers may be strictly manual, or may include controls for time and charging voltage. Some chargers are equipped with "boost" settings that supply a large current to assist in cranking the engine. Battery chargers that apply high voltage (for example, more than 14.4 volts on a 12 volt nominal system) will result in emission of hydrogen gas from the battery, which may damage it or create an explosion risk. A battery may be recharged without removal from the vehicle, although in a typical roadside situation no convenient source of power may be nearby and a solar-powered charger may be used to charge the battery over time.
Push starting
Main article: Push startA vehicle with a manual transmission may be push started. This requires caution while pushing the vehicle and may require the assistance of several persons or another vehicle if the battery is fully discharged. If the vehicle battery cannot provide enough power to the ignition system, push starting will be ineffective. Vehicles with diesel engines might take a few attemps to push-start if the battery charge is to low to power the glowplugs for preheating. Most vehicles with automatic transmissions cannot be started this way because the hydraulic torque converter in the transmission will not allow the engine to be driven by the wheels.
Voltage problem
Heavy vehicles such as large trucks, excavation equipment, or big vehicles with diesel engines may use 24-volt electrical systems. They usually have a 24 V supply using two 12 V automotive batteries in series: it is therefore possible to jump-start a vehicle with a 12 V electrical system using only one of the two batteries.
Vintage cars may have 6-volt electrical systems, or may connect the positive terminal of the battery to the chassis. The methods intended for boosting 12-volt, negative-ground vehicles cannot be used in such cases.
Passenger vehicles with 42-volt electrical systems may not be possible to "boost" from other vehicles; professional assistance would be required to prevent severe damage to the vehicle and possible personal injury (see tow truck). Hybrid vehicles may have a very small 12 volt battery system unsuitable for sourcing the large amount of current required to boost a conventional vehicle. However, as the 12-volt system of a hybrid vehicle is only required to start up the control system of the vehicle, a very small portable battery may successfully boost a hybrid that has accidentally discharged its 12-volt system; the main propulsion battery is unlikely to also have been discharged.
Military vehicles
Generally referred to as "slave starting" in military parlance, the jump starting procedure has been simplified for military vehicles. Tactical vehicles used by NATO militaries possess 24-volt electrical systems and, in accordance with STANAG 4074, have standard slave receptacles for easy connection. A slave cable is plugged in to the receptacle on each vehicle, and the dead vehicle is started with the live vehicle's engine running.
See also
- Crocodile clip used in the cables
- Kick start
References
- Haynes Repair Manual, Toyota Corolla 1984 thru 1992. pp. 5–2. ISBN 1-56392-064-6.
- 2004 Owner's Manual,`Toyota Camry Solara, Toyota Publication No. OM33596U, for an example of an owner's manual.
- http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1986/1986_240/86240_03b.htm On-line version of a 1986 Volvo 240 owner's manual, page 64, shows jump start procedure
- Bauer, Horst (1996). Bosch Automotive Handbook 4th Edition. Stuttgart: Robert Bosch GmbH. pp. 806–807. ISBN 0-8376-0333-1.
- "Injuries Associated with Hazards Involving Motor Vehicle Batteries". Road Management and Engineering Journal and TranSafety. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Organizations such as Prevent Blindness America recommend use of splash-resistant safety goggles to protect the eyes while connecting cables. "Prevent Blindness". Prevent Blindness. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
- Schultz, Mort (December 1979). "What you may not know about jump starting". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 152, no. 6. ISSN 0032-4558.
- Duglin Kennedy, Shirley (2005). The Savvy Guide to Motorcycles. Indy Tech Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 0-7906-1316-6, 9780790613161.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help) - Gearhead. Vol. 51. American Motorcyclist Assoc. December 1997. ISBN 0277-9358.
{{cite book}}:|periodical=ignored (help); Check|isbn=value: length (help) - "Tech Article:24 Volt Systems". BJ Series Land Cruisers. Retrieved January 5, 2012.