An internal short in the battery wouldn't have damaged the cable, except
perhaps right by the battery. It would also be a huge coincidence if the
battery chose the exact moment of making the connections to fail - albeit
possible. I can't see a 'simple' reversal doing that either - it would cook
the alternator and the smaller gauge wires feeding it, but I'd expect the
current to be too low to cook the main earth cable which after all carries
starter current without damage. Sounds to me like *both* battery terminals
got connected to the chassis somehow.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
> He charged the battery and replaced with a resultant huge cloud of smoke
> and burning smell. The lead between the alternator and chassis was toast
> (it may have been the starter - he is not too observant!). Someone said
> it was because he reversed the polarity (hmmmm!) but the shop said the
> battery plates had collapsed and shorted out. To me neither sounds
> right. Anybody got an insightful suggestion
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