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Posted by: Name is Snick Nov 7 2023, 06:00 PM

I removed my negative battery cable.
Then removed my alternator for repair.

Now I want to charge my battery.

Should I reinstall my negative battery cable on the battery before installing the charger cables? (Alternator still removed)
I normally install the charger cables to each battery post.

Is there any reason to connect either the negative battery cable or the negative charger cable to a chassis ground?

Thanks

Posted by: Mikey914 Nov 7 2023, 06:13 PM

No , you can charge the battery in the car by just connecting to terminals. Cables removed, preferably.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Nov 7 2023, 06:16 PM

The only reason to hook up one or both of your battery cables is if you are going to be using those cables or the chassis itself as hookup points for the charger.

If you're just hooking the charger directly to the battery posts, you don't have to connect the battery to the car at all.

Make sure you don't hook it up backwards, that will make sparks and won't make you happy.

--DD

Posted by: rgalla9146 Nov 9 2023, 08:24 AM

If you do it with the negative cable attached make sure the disconnected red alternator
wire is not touching anything on the engine

Posted by: Name is Snick Nov 9 2023, 11:23 AM

You mean the red alternator wire on the alternator end I presume.

I went ahead and removed both battery cables and placed charging cables on each battery terminal to avoid any confusion. (my confusion)

I have placed each charging cable on each terminal post for years while both battery cables remained installed with no problems. But today I read the instructions on the charger block. It said to attach the negative charger wire to a chassis ground. Evidently, I have been doing it wrong for decades. I have no chassis ground available within reach so I will continue to do it as I have in the past and hopefully, I won't blow up.

Thanks

Posted by: Dave_Darling Nov 10 2023, 04:40 PM

IIRC, they suggest you connect to a chassis ground so that if a spark is created it won't ignite any hydrogen gas that the battery is giving off. Odd are very low of that ever happening, but you reduce them even further if you make the last connection (the ground) away from the battery. And I'm pretty sure the hydrogen igniting would really ruin your day. (Or your year. Or your life.)

--DD