For What Its Worth
General safety notes
Batteries
Batteries generate hydrogen
and
you could have a minor explosion if it is ignited. The problem is the
acid and shrapnel thrown around. It is rare, but happens. Can
be caused by one or more cells being low on water and when starting it
sparks
internally. Also as the others have said, a cracked or badly corroded
post
letting the gas out and causing a spark.
This is why
jumping a battery should be done carefully. One blew up in my Dads face
and his
20-20 vision went to 20-100 or so. I do positive to positive on the
batteries
and then the ground cable to the engine in both cars, not the battery.
So no
sparks near the battery when connecting the ground last or
disconnecting the
ground first.
My brother blew
up a battery in a stock car by moving the car with the battery charger
attached
and plugged in. When the clamp fell off it caused a spark. We also had
a rubber
boot around the battery for roll-over protection. It caused the
hydrogen to
accumulate also. BOOM it blew the top off the battery. The fun thing
was he did
the exact same thing again a week later.
Use Jack stands to hold a car up
Get
good jack stands, never cheap ones. Good wide bases, sturdy
construction and put in a good supporting location under the car.
I don't go
under a car without a jack stand under it. I've had a floor jack
blow a seal, but the car stopped when it hit the
jack stand, not me. It is best to have the weight on the
jack stands to begin with. I even try to push the car off the
stands as a check for security. You don't want it falling off
when you are wrenching on the car.
