Generator Battery Disconnect - Negative or Positive?

[Thendless]

I wanted to get some thoughts on disconnecting of the positive or negative terminal for a single pole disconnect for a battery in a generator application.

 

[iceworm]

The context is 12V or 24V, no bigger than 2 each 8D?

I'd likely disconnect the one that doesn't go to the frame ground.

 

[Thendless]

In my application it is 24V, two 12V group 31 batteries.

 

[iceworm]

okay - then:

"I'd likely disconnect the one that doesn't go to the frame ground"​

 

[zbang]

Yes, you usually disconnect the ungrounded side.

 

[GoldDigger]

But for battery replacement rather than an in-service disconnect you want to disconnect the grounded terminal first. That way there is no shorting hazard when you put your tools on the positive terminal connection to remove it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[retirede]

But for battery replacement rather than an in-service disconnect you want to disconnect the grounded terminal first. That way there is no shorting hazard when you put your tools on the positive terminal connection to remove it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

That is the general safety rule for working on anything with a battery. Not just when replacing it.

 

[Frank DuVal]

Large Caterpillar gen-sets put the battery disconnect in the negative lead (negative lead goes to frame). This is so with the switch off, you cannot short the battery with wrenches or tools from any terminal to ground.:thumbsup:

Of course, if you just set a wrench on the battery, it will shift and short right against the terminals of that battery!hmy: