[Mgb-v8] [Mgs] Electrical question

[David Kernberger]

Paul,

	With all due respect, I do not believe it is possible for an 
internal battery short of any kind to damage any external cable in 
any way or in any place.  A short simply causes the cell in which it 
occurs to become a useless conductor of current and prevents it from 
producing any useful power.  The cell just goes dead.

	Aa far as the main earth cable is concerned, I do not think 
the fried cable (wire?) Barrie originally mentioned has yet been 
positively identified as to its function or size.  Nor has anybody 
verified that the battery plates were actually collapsed.

	We are all just grasping at straws here.  Fun though!!

Regards,
Dave K.

------------------------------------------------------------

>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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