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Charger in Garage safety.

Started by GordonGriggs, July 27, 2011, 07:34:20 PM

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GordonGriggs


   All 3 of my chargers have original wiring. Am I the only one that disconnects the battery at the end of the day? I just don't want to risk an electrical fire. I also check it about 20 minutes after I shut it down to make sure everything is ok and cooled off before I close up the garage.

charger Downunder

Wow you worry. You better go over your wiring.
[/quote]

bill440rt

Quote from: GordonGriggs on July 27, 2011, 07:34:20 PM

   All 3 of my chargers have original wiring. Am I the only one that disconnects the battery at the end of the day? I just don't want to risk an electrical fire. I also check it about 20 minutes after I shut it down to make sure everything is ok and cooled off before I close up the garage.


Hell NO! I ALWAYS disconnect the battery when my Chargers are not is use. And, much of the wiring in my cars is new. It's safe insurance to disconnect the battery. You just never know.
I remember when I was a teen, prior to me having bodywork experience my '68 was in the shop getting new 1/4's, painted, etc. There was an old '50's Vette there, the shop would move it in & out as it was a side job. Well, you guessed it. One night some wires decided to cross & the Vette went up in flames. Almost burned the shop down & my Charger along with it.
And to think 3 seconds with a 1/2" wrench could prevent it. I have a quick disconnect on one of my cars for this very purpose, on the negative cable.
No, you're not alone. And you're being smart & precautious.
:Twocents:
"Strive for perfection in everything. Take the best that exists and make it better. If it doesn't exist, create it. Accept nothing nearly right or good enough." Sir Henry Rolls Royce

FlatbackFanatic

I disconnect my battery everytime I'm done driving it for the day, I even disconnect the battery at car shows too.
Flatback Fanatic, Kurt  , MN

FLG

Quote from: bill440rt on July 27, 2011, 07:47:50 PM
Quote from: GordonGriggs on July 27, 2011, 07:34:20 PM

   All 3 of my chargers have original wiring. Am I the only one that disconnects the battery at the end of the day? I just don't want to risk an electrical fire. I also check it about 20 minutes after I shut it down to make sure everything is ok and cooled off before I close up the garage.


Hell NO! I ALWAYS disconnect the battery when my Chargers are not is use. And, much of the wiring in my cars is new. It's safe insurance to disconnect the battery. You just never know.
I remember when I was a teen, prior to me having bodywork experience my '68 was in the shop getting new 1/4's, painted, etc. There was an old '50's Vette there, the shop would move it in & out as it was a side job. Well, you guessed it. One night some wires decided to cross & the Vette went up in flames. Almost burned the shop down & my Charger along with it.
And to think 3 seconds with a 1/2" wrench could prevent it. I have a quick disconnect on one of my cars for this very purpose, on the negative cable.
No, you're not alone. And you're being smart & precautious.
:Twocents:

Same here, had a quick disconnect on the negative cable and wired up a bypass with a small amperage fuse to keep my radio presets (had aftermarket radio) disconnected it every night and if i was parking for extended periods.

bobs66440

Same here. I have a quick disconnect for every time it goes in the garage.  :yesnod:

aussiemuscle

Wouldn't one of those battery switches save unhooking the battery?

tan top

 i always pull the negative off the battery  when in the garage ,

always have it so i can just twist pull it off anyway not tighten really tight  !!  but its still on there tight if you know what i mean 
Feel free to post any relevant picture you think we all might like to see in the threads below!

Charger Stuff 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,86777.0.html
Chargers in the background where you least expect them 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,97261.0.html
C500 & Daytonas & Superbirds
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,95432.0.html
Interesting pictures & Stuff 
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,109484.925.html
Old Dodge dealer photos wanted
 http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,120850.0.html

bobs66440

Quote from: aussiemuscle on July 27, 2011, 11:06:52 PM
Wouldn't one of those battery switches save unhooking the battery?
Yes, but the quick disconnect is so cheap and easy. They are like $5-$10.

ITSA426

I  always disconnect the negative terminal when I'm at shows or the car goes into the garage or even parked for a long while.  I don't want to replace another wiring harness or set of electrical gauges again.  It keeps the battery from running down if there's a small electrical load going, like the clock or parking lights or headlight motor.  To many opportunities for relays to stick etc.

It also gives a potential thief at least one more thing to do before he drives off in my car.  That might give me just a little more time to deal with the situation...

Cooter

Yepper, Pull the cable every time I stop the car. Yeah, resetting the radio presets and such is a PITA, but it serves a dual purpose with the General Lee as I don't have to blow that damn horn everytime a kid comes up, or worry bout a fire either.
" I have spent thousands of dollars and countless hours researching what works and what doesn't and I'm willing to share"

1969chargerrtse

Noopper.  The car is fully insured.  If it burns down I'd get more than I could if I was selling it.  I'm not resetting my clock everytime I take a ride.
This car was sold many years ago to somebody in Wisconsin. I now am retired and living in Florida.

Ghoste


69 OUR/TEA

Absolutely,I disconnect my batterys on my cars that are not daily drivers that could end up sitting in the garage for an undetermined amount of time.Just as most have said,you never know,old or new wiring.

OldGuy

Quote from: FlatbackFanatic on July 27, 2011, 09:48:33 PM
I disconnect my battery everytime I'm done driving it for the day, I even disconnect the battery at car shows too.

Ditto!!
"I can tell by your sarcastic undertones, rude comments and total lack of common decency, that you and I could be best friends".

Troy

I have a quick-disconnect on the Power Wagon. I will disconnect the battery on the others depending on how long they are sitting but, lately, I've been doing it every time I park them in the garage. I open the hoods to let them cool down any way so it doesn't take much extra effort to unhook it.

Troy
Sarcasm detector, that's a real good invention.

ODZKing

Quote from: 1969chargerrtse on July 28, 2011, 05:59:42 AM
Noopper.  The car is fully insured.  If it burns down I'd get more than I could if I was selling it.  I'm not resetting my clock everytime I take a ride.
:iagree: If it goes, I'll buy another Charger and have enough left over for a new Challenger!

7chargers

So just so I understand this since I have never done it.. just disconnect the negative terminal? and the positive can stay connected? I will start doing this never knew this could cause such a hazzard? :shruggy:

440

Quote from: ODZKing on July 28, 2011, 09:55:16 AM
Quote from: 1969chargerrtse on July 28, 2011, 05:59:42 AM
Noopper.  The car is fully insured.  If it burns down I'd get more than I could if I was selling it.  I'm not resetting my clock everytime I take a ride.
:iagree: If it goes, I'll buy another Charger and have enough left over for a new Challenger!

Same here, insurance covers it although it would be a headache to collect in the unfortunate event.... Plus I have salvage rights to it so I'll still get to keep it.

CrAzYMoPaRGuY

I don't even disconnect the battery on my Jensen Interceptor, and it has.....   :o :o :o ... LUCAS WIRING!!!!!!!

bobs66440

Quote from: CrAzYMoPaRGuY on July 28, 2011, 11:17:02 AM
I don't even disconnect the battery on my Jensen Interceptor, and it has.....   :o :o :o ... LUCAS WIRING!!!!!!!
:o Oh no! Lucas...the Prince of Darkness!!  :lol:

bobs66440

Quote from: 7chargers on July 28, 2011, 10:13:43 AM
So just so I understand this since I have never done it.. just disconnect the negative terminal? and the positive can stay connected? I will start doing this never knew this could cause such a hazzard? :shruggy:
Yes, the disconnect goes on the negative side.  :2thumbs:

ODZKing

Of course the disconnect won't help anything if the battery shorts inside and catches fire.
That's why when you store a car, many garages will make you remove the battery from the car.   :yesnod:

68neverlate

I like disconnecting.   Whether I'm storing in the garage, at a car show or parked somewhere in town.  Guards against the battery getting drawn down, safer on older electrical systems and gives thieves one more thing they have to do to get the car...   :yesnod:   

resq302

Quote from: FlatbackFanatic on July 27, 2011, 09:48:33 PM
I disconnect my battery everytime I'm done driving it for the day, I even disconnect the battery at car shows too.

I do this also just in case there is any shorts or drains, it does not kill the battery.  I even do this when I have it hooked up to the battery tender!  A friend of mine was hauling some cars in his 2 high and 2 deep trailer and the guy did not disconnect his battery, well, my buddy just about lost his new Ram truck that was towing the trailer as he looked in his rear view mirror and saw the trailer engulfed in flames.  He had just enough time to disconnect the tongue and pull far enough away before the heat got too hot and damaged his new truck.
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto