Thank you for this conversation.
I knew batteries could be dangerous but I never knew how they could go boom. I knew about hydrogen but I figured the spark would be from me hooking up the jumper cables not an internal spark in the battery.
We have a new used Toyota. Seems to be a nice SUV except the ergonomics stink. They only way we know how to turn off the headlights is by locking the car.
If you don't lock the car the lights stay on. For awhile. Then the battery dies.
No buzzer when the door opens to tell you the light is on. No relay to turn off the lights IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING!
My Ford can do these things. Seems like cars have been doing this for a few years now... Hmmmmmm
I won't even talk about the hidden clock and crazy windshield wiper controls....
Either we can't find the headlight switch or something is broken. We have drained the battery TWICE. I don't think I have ever left the lights on to drain a battery. Until this car.
For some reason I have a battery charger. Don't know why I have it but I do.
Good thing too. I use it to charge the car battery instead of jumping the battery. Its a bit easier to use the charger since I don't have to mess with another vehicle to do the jumping. Plus I don't plug the charger into the outlet until the charger is connected to ground and the positive battery terminal. Then I hide behind the SUV and plug in the charger.
I know batteries can go boom. They scare me. Thus I hide. Now I know why batteries go boom. I will still be hiding.
Thanks,
Dan