Document 3JqdpwQYQn8jbMvjxERKxDZox

CHAPTER 2/THE BATTERY, CHARGING, STARTING, AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS 12 Switches develop resistance as they age, caus Battery Cables ing lamps to lose their brilliance. Wear in the switch may cause an intermittent connection, which will result in flickering. A fuse will usually burn out due to an over 6 & 12 VOLT BRAIDED TINNED COPPER BATTERY CABLE STRAPS load, normally from a short circuit. Tail lights and stop lights may use the same fuse as some of the interior lights; so the driver will not be 5TH WHEEL GROUND i H driving without rear lights without knowing STRAP something is wrong. Wiring may develop loose or dirty connec tions which result in the same types ofproblems that bad switches cause. Insulation may be worn off by rubbing and cause a short circuit. .1: Occasionally the socket may lose connection 12 VOLT UNIVERSAL NUT AND BOLT TERMINAL WITH 6" TRAILING LEAD with the body of the vehicle, breaking contact with the ground. 6 & 12 VOLT INSULATED SWITCH TO STARTER Late model cars have many accessories on CABLES board, which are all connected to the wiring cir cuits. Any problem in an electrically powered unit will have to be checkedfor power, correct wiring properfuse size, and ground path back BATTERY JUMPER CABLES to the battery. Circuits can be checkedfor conductivity with a test light, for resistance with an Ohmmeter, andfor voltage drop with a voltmeter. When 6 & 12 VOLT BONDING STRAP you test primary wire leads or battery cables, do not remove them from the vehicle before test (Figure 14) Battery cables. ing; just touch one probe of the voltmeter or The battery cables link the battery to the elec volt/ohmmeter to each of the electrical compo trical systems of the vehicle. Because of the rela nents to which the cable or lead is attached. tively low voltage (pressure) and high amperage (When checking a negative battery cable, for (flow) needed to supply these electrical systems, example, one probe should touch the negative the battery cable is a large, stranded and jack battery post and the other probe should touch eted cable. Although some manufacturers use the stud or bolt head used to secure the battery aluminum or copper-clad aluminum, most use cable. When the engine is cranked and carrying all copper, which is an all-around superior con its greatest electrical load, such as during start ductor for battery cables. ing, the reading should not exceed 0.1 volt.) Wire should be clearly stripped approxi In most cables, the copper is stranded and insulated for easy handling and for protection mately 'As" longer than the length of the termi of the electrical system. Some vehicles, however, !i nal's conductor clamp. Care should be taken not use a braided ground strap, generally tin-coated to nick or cut any of the strands during strip copper for corrosion resistance. Because of the ping. When attaching the wire to the terminal, insert it until it "bottoms " in the clamp or harsh environment battery cables exist in, the insulation is designed to withstand abrasion approximately Vis" protrudes beyond the clamp. Make sure that no insulation is put into the clamp. caused by vibration and to be resistant to attack by air and battery vapors. Battery cable connections take many different iE; ' 'ii STARTING SYSTEM forms, the most common of which is a lead The automobile starting system includes both casting. This casting sometimes includes a trail I); the battery cables and the starter motor. ing lead used for grounding.