Hi

The other day I helped someone jump start their car, anyway I was just curious about the negative terminal on my battery, not got pictures so hopefully I can explain it enough.

I was a little unsure on the correct area to mount the black cable, as there is a fixed wire that goes from the negative terminal on the battery to a connection fixed into the metal body of the car,  is that just an earthing?

Would it have mattered what part I connect the black cable to?

It all worked out, but it was dark when I did it so can't quite remember where I connected the black cable now.

If jumping my leads are large enough to clamp over the lead coloured post clamps, i dont think it matters exactly where aslong as its a good contact.

47 minutes ago, mitch84 said:

I was a little unsure on the correct area to mount the black cable, as there is a fixed wire that goes from the negative terminal on the battery to a connection fixed into the metal body of the car,  is that just an earthing?

That's where you're meant to attach a battery charger or jump leads.

Doesn't matter too much for jump starting.  But if you connect a battery charger then the BMS will only record the charge if connected after the battery terminal.

 

For jump starting, the black cable was ok to go on the battery terminal direct but for charging it must go onto the body terminal or the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) will not register that the battery has been charged.

Both thinking the same thing! You beat me by a second. Luckily we both told the same story.

 

29 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

That's where you're meant to attach a battery charger or jump leads.

Doesn't matter too much for jump starting.  But if you connect a battery charger then the BMS will only record the charge if connected after the battery terminal.

 

 

Thanks chaps, I thought it wouldn't matter so much, I realise for starting the flat battery though the other end needs to be connected away from the flat battery, I always struggle to find a decent area to do this, can it be anywhere, such as an unpainted piece of metal in the engine bay or another large nut somewhere?