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Safe to daisy chain jumper cables?

C

calbear2000

Golden Member
My car is parked in the garage such that I can't get another car directly in front of it. My jumper cables aren't long enough, but I've got 2 of them. Serially connecting them should let me reach the battery... but I'm wondering if this is safe?

Anyone done this before?

Thanks in advance - hope I don't get fried!
 
It shouldn't be a problem though it will take longer to charge the dead battery as current will be reduced. I've done it quite a bit.
 
Exactly the reason I buy long jumper cables. :laugh:
But I have used oil dips sticks in a pinch before. 😉
 
It's fine, but put something (block of wood) to physically seperate the joint if you are alone. It's darn easy to get the joing to move and touch if you dont have a second person physically holding it apart.
 
Another vote for yes. And of course, make sure you don't let them touch, as other have said. Unless you want two sets of jumper cables welded together and like exploding batteries.
 
Originally posted by: Blain
Exactly the reason I buy long jumper cables. :laugh:
But I have used oil dips sticks in a pinch before. 😉
Click to expand...

Oil dip sticks beats my coathangers.

When 3 sets of jumper cables were in the wife's van and I was stuck, I resorted to just using some regular house wiring (12 gauge) - worked just fine.

 
I've done that several times. You really lose a lot of current, and build heat, after like 3 sets.

Yeah, we were out wheeling in the woods one time and couldnt get to the truck any other way.

Have also jumpstarted a car with speaker cables in high school. We were stuck in the snow in the middle of nowhere. At least I was smart enough to not hold on to them 😀
 
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: Blain
Exactly the reason I buy long jumper cables. :laugh:
But I have used oil dips sticks in a pinch before. 😉
Click to expand...

Oil dip sticks beats my coathangers.

When 3 sets of jumper cables were in the wife's van and I was stuck, I resorted to just using some regular house wiring (12 gauge) - worked just fine.
Click to expand...
My oil dip stick jump was back in the old chrome bumper days.
Cars pushed together to make the - ground connection...
Dip stick handles linked together to create a path for the + positive...
Then the ends touched onto each battery post (while holding the sticks tight together).
The dip sticks got warm very quickly when cranking the dead car, but it was long enough for the engine to start.

Tune in next week when I tell about using only the starter motor to pull my 3/4 truck up a hill (about 20-25').

 
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: Blain
Exactly the reason I buy long jumper cables. :laugh:
But I have used oil dips sticks in a pinch before. 😉
Click to expand...

Oil dip sticks beats my coathangers.

When 3 sets of jumper cables were in the wife's van and I was stuck, I resorted to just using some regular house wiring (12 gauge) - worked just fine.
Click to expand...
My oil dip stick jump was back in the old chrome bumper days.
Cars pushed together to make the - ground connection...
Dip stick handles linked together to create a path for the + positive...
Then the ends touched onto each battery post (while holding the sticks tight together).
The dip sticks got warm very quickly when cranking the dead car, but it was long enough for the engine to start.

Tune in next week when I tell about using only the starter motor to pull my 3/4 truck up a hill (about 20-25').
Click to expand...

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

I really do hope you're joking.
 
You can, but the cables can come loose easily. Be sure you hold onto the copper part of the claps as hard as you can while charging.
 
I just did it. it took a few tires. In the end I worked out that you need to make SURE you have the best connections possible -end to end. You will notice the wire goes onto one end of each handle. Make SURE those ends are in DIRECT and as complete a contact as possible. I also wrapped / insolated the daisy chain connections and separated the - + with a heavy ceramic pot. After 2 hours of trying -that is what worked immediately. I suspect this is done successfully all the time.
 
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