YACT: Uh.. what would happen if you hooked a battery up in reverse?

[fs5]

Okay, so I made the stupidest move today... I accidently hooked up the pos. to the neg. terminal and neg. to the pos. terminal. Other then shorting the battery do you think anything else bad happened? I hooked up another battery (that wasn't fully charged so I couldn't start the car) and the dome light/door open indicator still came on.

 

[Heisenberg]

As long as you didn't try to start the car (or even turn the ignition on) it probably didn't hurt anything.

 

[Fiveohhh]

It probably won't effect much things like lightbulbs, but it could damage some more sensitve electronics

 

[DrPizza]

I wonder if/(why wouldn't they) there are diodes on the more sensitive electronics, as protection against just such a mistake.

THen again... such a mistake results in sales of parts..

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I wonder if/(why wouldn't they) there are diodes on the more sensitive electronics, as protection against just such a mistake.

THen again... such a mistake results in sales of parts..

I doubt they would... Not like its a common thing I've never heard of anyone else doing it

 

[blahblah99]

You'll probably end up blowing a big fuse, or a buncha little ones.

 

[Vette73]

What is the year make and model?


I have seen some cars lose just about everything electronic in the car. So it juts might need some new fuses, or could need everything from a computer and everything inbetween.

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You'll probably end up blowing a big fuse, or a buncha little ones.

I don't think it would blow a fuse. fuse doesn't care the polarity. unless running reverse polarity causes the component to all draw a bunch of power...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Can really eff up the computer on some cars.

ZV

 

[fredtam]

Odds ere you didn't hurt anything. Also:
You should now change your name to something that won't be percieved as you having any knowledge of cars.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: fredtam
Odds ere you didn't hurt anything. Also:
You should now change your name to something that won't be percieved as you having any knowledge of cars.

I was swapping my Optima battery back to the stock one. I was removing the dual amps/subwoofer, which I installed myself, to get ready to sell the car. I was a stupid mistake but it doesn't mean I don't know anything about cars.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: fredtam
Odds ere you didn't hurt anything. Also:
You should now change your name to something that won't be percieved as you having any knowledge of cars.

I was swapping my Optima battery back to the stock one. I was removing the dual amps/subwoofer, which I installed myself, to get ready to sell the car. I was a stupid mistake but it doesn't mean I don't know anything about cars.

you are right...it doesnt mean you dont know anything, but it definitely means you are an idiot. another vote for name change here...

 

[JustinGoodie]

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You'll probably end up blowing a big fuse, or a buncha little ones.

I don't think it would blow a fuse. fuse doesn't care the polarity unless running reverse polarity causes the component to all draw a bunch of power...

granted.... however, grounding the circuit where it's supposed to draw current, and powering the ground would cause fuses to pop... that's why they're there.

i say check the fuseboxes, and if there aren't any popped then be happy and forget about it

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: JustinGoodie

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You'll probably end up blowing a big fuse, or a buncha little ones.

I don't think it would blow a fuse. fuse doesn't care the polarity unless running reverse polarity causes the component to all draw a bunch of power...

granted.... however, grounding the circuit where it's supposed to draw current, and powering the ground would cause fuses to pop... that's why they're there.

i say check the fuseboxes, and if there aren't any popped then be happy and forget about it

I checked the main fuses, (too many little ones ) everything seemed okay... I'll have to get the battery recharged and see if anything else blew. thanks

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Some systems have a diode which prevents reverse current from flowing. If this is the case, you have no damage.

 

[GasX]

been there... done that... fried the alternator...

 

[Quixfire]

Uh.. what would happen if you hooked a battery up in reverse?

Sparks

I agree with what has been said already. Unless you started the car or had the ignition on there should be any damage.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Uh.. what would happen if you hooked a battery up in reverse?

Sparks

I agree with what has been said already. Unless you started the car or had the ignition on there should be any damage.

unless it's a 67 mustang...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: JustinGoodie

Originally posted by: Fiveohhh

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You'll probably end up blowing a big fuse, or a buncha little ones.

I don't think it would blow a fuse. fuse doesn't care the polarity unless running reverse polarity causes the component to all draw a bunch of power...

granted.... however, grounding the circuit where it's supposed to draw current, and powering the ground would cause fuses to pop... that's why they're there.

i say check the fuseboxes, and if there aren't any popped then be happy and forget about it

No, that isn't what a fuse is for.

A fuse is a cheap way to limit surges in current. A fuse does not care about polarity.

If it caused fuses to blow, it is because it caused a surge in current through the fuse.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Uh.. what would happen if you hooked a battery up in reverse?

Sparks

I agree with what has been said already. Unless you started the car or had the ignition on there should be any damage.

unless it's a 67 mustang...

Come on, a voltage regulator isn't that expensive.

 

[DuffmanOhYeah]

nothing much, oyu just end up driving backwards, and have to press the brakes to go and the accelerator to stop. Other than that, no harm done.