Why would you get jumper cables instead of a jump starter?

[Howard]

nm

 

[jagec]

That's, uh, not the correct order... This is:

1) Positive terminal of dead battery
2) Positive terminal of good battery
3) Negative terminal of bad battery
4) Frame ground on car with good battery

Disconnect in reverse order.

ZV

It's possible that I was taught incorrectly. They told me to make the ground connections first.

But I'm always willing to learn...so why this way?

 

[LTC8K6]

If there's a spark, you don't want it to happen near the battery.

 

[Howard]

If there's a spark, you don't want it to happen near the battery.

And (usually) the last connection is the one that makes the spark.

 

[Zenmervolt]

It's possible that I was taught incorrectly. They told me to make the ground connections first.

But I'm always willing to learn...so why this way?

As others have said, it ensures that the only connection that can spark (unless there are some serious short circuits) takes place well away from both batteries.

Also, by connecting the positive to the dead battery first, and the positive of the good battery second, it eliminates the possibility that one battery could be completely connected while the other end of the cables was metaphorically flapping in the breeze. This eliminates the risk of accidental shock if the "loose" ends of the cable come in contact with anything.

The bad battery goes first because on the off chance that you somehow short the other end of the positive cable to ground before connecting it to the other battery, it doesn't matter nearly as much because the bad battery is already dead.

ZV

 

[SparkyJJO]

I've seen someone connect both ends to the good car first and have a lovely spark shower ensue from the other end of the jumper cables Don't do it that way! Toasted the jaws of the cables.