[Mgs] Electrical question

[Paul Hunt]

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