The manual for my battery charger says I should remove the cables from the battery before I attempt to charge it.

Can't I just put the charger cables over them?

Thanks,

/Electricity noob

 

If you are using a low current (slow charge) charger, then leaving the battery hooked up is fine. However, if you are using a fast charger and you leave the battery connected, then you risk damaging some of the other electronic components in the car. For the past 20 years, I never disconnected the battery but....my luck ran out last year. I had a flat battery and jumped it with my charger. The car started as expected but as a side effect, I damaged my CCU. Ouch! In the future, I will slow charge with the battery connected but will disconnect it when fast charging.

 

Thanks Rob! I will definitely just slow charge it then. Amazing, I think you've helped me with every single issue I've had with my car!

Reason I ask is because the stereo was put in some 3 or 4 owners ago, and I don't have the code. So I'd rather not disconnect entirely.

 

Rob is Johny on the spot! Good advice.

 

I was always told to prevent damage whilst jump starting/charging connect positive to the battery terminal and the negative to an earthing point on the chassis.

Apparently this somehow helps protect the ECU. this is how I connect my trickle charger. or jump start a car. ( no idea if there is any truth in this I have just been told it by several mechanics so that what I do)

however if you have the faster type of charger and you have the time why take the risk. might as well dissconect it.

 

The real reason for connecting to a ground point away from the battery is to avoid sparks in the area of the battery. Batteries put off gasses that are explosive. (the traditional battery.... Dry cels like Optimas are sealed, and another reason I run one on my car)