Many of us have jumped in our cars, turned the key, and heard that dreaded click. Your battery is flat, and the car won’t start, so now what? Jump starting your car in the rain is not ideal but can be done by following some simple rules.
If you have a willing friend, getting you back on the road can take just a few minutes, even in the rain.
Is It Safe To Jump Start A Car Battery In The Rain?
Jump starting your car in the rain is perfectly safe, so long as you follow some simple rules:
- First, make sure your jumper cables are in good condition. If the cables are old, the insulation may be damaged. This could cause a short circuit, particularly if rain finds its way into the cable. If possible, protect yourself and the battery from the rain with an umbrella.
- Second, take all the usual precautions for jump-starting a car. Wear gloves, connect the leads in the right order, and do not touch both battery terminals simultaneously. Although your battery is only 12 volts, it is a DC voltage, and you still need to be careful.
How To Jump-start Car From Another Vehicle In The Rain Step-by-step
Preparation: Most jump leads are only a few meters long, so first, check where each car battery is located. Now move the running car so that the batteries are as close together as possible. Note that some vehicles have their battery in the trunk. In this case, you may find jump-start terminals under the hood.
Next, check your jumper cables for damage. Check the plastic insulation for cuts and tears. Make sure the clamps are firmly attached to the cables.
If your jump cables are old or damaged, replace them with new ones: 1 Gauge vs. 2 Gauge vs. 4 Gauge – What is the best gauge for jumper cables?
Read the manual: Each car’s manual will have a section on jump-starting. Follow the guidance to prevent damaging either car while jump-starting.
Turn off all the electrical items: Make sure everything unnecessary in both vehicles is switched off. This includes the lights, radio, windshield wipers, and air conditioning. You want as much power as possible, going to the flat battery.
Connect the clamps: All car batteries have two terminals, one red, and one black. The jumper cables are colored either red or black. While connecting the cables, make sure you hold both clamps to prevent them from accidentally touching anything metal.
Connect the red cable to the red terminal of the good battery, after that attach the other clamp to the red terminal of the dead battery. Now connect the black cable to the black terminal of the good battery. The other clamp of this cable is better not be attached to the dead battery.
Attach it to a non-moving metal component as far away from the battery as possible. This is to prevent any sparks from igniting the hydrogen gas given off by the battery.
Don’t cross-connect the cables: You mustn’t cross-connect the cables. Accidentally connecting the red, positive terminal to the black, negative terminal will cause a short circuit and is very dangerous.
Start your car with a good battery: Now start the vehicle with a good battery and allow it to idle for a while. This will add a small amount of charge to the dead battery.
Start the car with the dead battery: After a few minutes, try to start the car with the dead battery. Assuming everything else is okay, the car should start easily.
Disconnect the cables in proper order: Once the vehicle is running, you can disconnect the cables. Remove the negative (black) cable first and then the positive (red) cable. Be careful not to touch anything metallic with the clamps while removing them.
After jump-starting, drive the car with the dead battery allow it to idle for at least 30 minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery. This will give the dead battery enough charge to start the car again. As soon as you can, attach a battery charger to charge the battery fully.
Buy the best Battery Chargers for your car battery online:
NOCO GENIUS2
CTEK MXS 5.0
Read more: How Long To Recharge Car Battery After Jump?
LIGHTNING, Can You Jump A Car In A Thunderstorm?
Source: media.defense.gov
It is very dangerous to try to jump-start your car during a thunderstorm. Lightening seeks a path to the ground and being next to a large metal object such as your car is not a good idea.
The thunderstorm should pass over quickly, and then it is safer to try jump-starting your car.
Final Thought
With the correct cables and a little preparation, jump-starting a car is a simple operation. Take your time, read the car manual, and be careful when you connect the cables.
FAQs
What happens if I cross wires?
Connecting the red terminal of a battery to the black terminal creates a short circuit. Electrical current will flow, creating a large amount of gas and a high risk of explosion. Be very careful when connecting cables to your battery.
What color do jumper cables go on?
Jumper cables are colored to match your battery terminals. Red clamps connect to red terminals and black clamps to black terminals.
Can you use a car battery charger in the rain?
No. Water and electricity really do not mix. Your charger is connected to the mains voltage, which can quickly kill you. Just a small amount of water on or around your charger can create a dangerous situation.
How long does it take to jump a car?
If you have the correct cables, it only takes a few minutes (about 10 mins). The most important part is connecting the jumper cables correctly.
Can I charge my electric car in the rain?
Yes. Electric cars are designed for all-weather operations. The charging points and connectors are weatherproofed, making it perfectly safe.
Jumped someone’s car, now mine won’t start, what should I do?
If your engine is turning over, then the battery is probably okay, but you could try to charge your battery with a charger. If this doesn’t work, you may have damaged an electronic item in the car, and you should call a mechanic.
