[Elecraft] OT: 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 power outlets

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Yes!  Seems the customer put a very large ring terminal on his radio ground wire. Then removed the battery cable at the battery, slipped the ring terminal over the negative post and then put the battery negative cable back in place.   All was well until he took the car in for service. As procedure, the technician removed the negative battery cable from the battery. Then somewhere along the way he shorted the positive to chassis.  The radio and radio ground wire went up in smoke. Dang near lost the car too. 

Of course one would say the technician was remiss in that he didn't see the added ground wire and didn't remove it. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 27, 2017, at 2:42 PM, Charlie T, K3ICH <pincon at erols.com> wrote:
> 
> I have to ask, has ANYONE ever heard of a circumstance where the negative
> return lead from the battery to the engine block has ever failed, short of a
> battlefield situation?
> Still, probably a good idea to fuse the negative to radio wire anyway.
> 
> Charlie k3ICH
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Vic Rosenthal
> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 11:52 AM
> To: Clay Autery <KY5G at montac.com>
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 power outlets
> 
> I don't think math or difficult physics is needed. Suppose you connect the
> radio directly to battery, and then suppose the battery to ground cable
> becomes partially or completely disconnected. Finally, suppose you then try
> to start the engine. When the starter solenoid closes, some of the high
> current from the battery negative terminal flows through the negative lead
> to the radio, and then to ground through the radio's mounting bracket, the
> coax to the antenna, etc. The no. 10 ground wire might have to carry several
> hundred amps! Lots of things can be damaged.
> This is why negative leads should be fused, at least.
> 
> Vic 4X6GP 
> 
>> On 27 Jun 2017, at 18:21, Clay Autery <KY5G at montac.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Horse puckey!  I DEFY you to prove the physics OR math of that 
>> ridiculous statement.
>> 
>> ______________________
>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>> 
>>> On 6/27/2017 9:55 AM, donovanf at starpower.net wrote:
>>> WARNING! 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> For extremely important safety and fire prevention reasons reasons, 
>>> no accessory should ever be connected directly to the negative 
>>> terminal of an automotive battery . Just like when charging an 
>>> automotive battery, the negative lead of a cable running directly to 
>>> the battery should always connect to the engine block and never 
>>> directly to the battery.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> The positive lead must be fused where it connects to the battery. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> There's an excellent discussion here: 
>>> 
>>> https://www.w8ji.com/negative_lead_to_battery.htm
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 73
>>> Frank
>>> W3LPL
>>> 
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