negative vs positive battery cables

[litespeed]

One of my buddies helped me put my 5th wheel away...and while I wasn't looking pulled out my batteries. I did not have a chance to see which cable came off of which battery terminal. I suppose I could figure it out with a multi-meter..but assumed one of you guys knows the answer...i have a black and red cable...i think the red cable leads to the master power in switch. Do I have this right? Thanks

[deaton]

Normally, red leads go to the positive side of the battery and black goes from the negative battery terminal to ground.

[Lindaxtwo]

Here's a visual...

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindaxtwo Here's a visual...

Linda, I love the pic of the new batteries.....thanks to rockintom......for everyone else.......it's an inside joke!!!! rockin'

[wa8yxm]

The one thing I would forget when it comes to battery cables is the word "NORMALLY"

Normally.. They pay absolutly NO attention to color when hooking those up, they are 100% color blind and though one would HOPE the red wire goes to positive..

You can't be sure without tracing it

The wire that goes to the chassis is the negative cable.. That you can be sure of

The other BIG wire is positive

If there is one more smaller wire.. That too is positive,, IF there are 2 smaller wires. You are on your own.

[ExcelRVGuy]

Red to Positive
Black to Negative

Bryan

[Lindaxtwo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Linda, I love the pic of the new batteries.....thanks to rockintom......for everyone else.......it's an inside joke!!!! rockin'

Hey Tom,
These are actually the old ones...took a picture when removing them so I'd remember how to put the new ones in....The new ones aren't as pretty or green...LOL...

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindaxtwo Hey Tom, These are actually the old ones...took a picture when removing them so I'd remember how to put the new ones in....The new ones aren't as pretty or green...LOL...

Someone is always jerking my chain!!! You forget how sensitive I am???
Linda you got me on this one!!!

[Lug_Nut]

It's pretty easy really if you do not want to use your multi-meter. Hook them up either way. Now turn on a 12 volt light inside. If it gets darker when you turn it on, they are connected wrong. Likewise if your fridge acts like your microwave and things freeze in your microwave reverse the connections....................................... .................I sure hope you know I'm kidding.
Red should be positive and black negative. A multi-meter from the black cable to the frame (ground) should read full continuity. (Test only with batteries removed or disconnected)



Peter

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Litespeed, when I first read the title of your thread I thought what the heck is the new thing going on now....negative vs positive battery cables.....My first thoughts where to one of my Dad's farm tractors that had positive ground and was that a trip when you had to jumper it. One always had your head turned when you first slapped the cables together, hoping they where sisters and didn't buck..
What you didn't tell us are your batteries 12V or 6v? The photo Lindatwo posted are two batteries in parallel. If you are using 6v then disregard Linda's because you will have to wire them in series.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookIIRoadtrash Litespeed, when I first read the title of your thread I thought what the heck is the new thing going on now....negative vs positive battery cables.....My first thoughts where to one of my Dad's farm tractors that had positive ground and was that a trip when you had to jumper it. One always had your head turned when you first slapped the cables together, hoping they where sisters and didn't buck.. What you didn't tell us are your batteries 12V or 6v? The photo Lindatwo posted are two batteries in parallel. If you are using 6v then disregard Linda's because you will have to wire them in series.

B2,

Funny you mentioned this as I was thinking the same thing.....you sound like a "know it all"!!! We sure sound like a team here!!! rockin'

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom B2, Funny you mentioned this as I was thinking the same thing.....you sound like a "know it all"!!! We sure sound like a team here!!! rockin'

Tom, I wanted it be known what that photo represented in cause some one that didn't know was thinking about using it for a template....

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookIIRoadtrash What you didn't tell us are your batteries 12V or 6v? The photo Lindatwo posted are two batteries in parallel. If you are using 6v then disregard Linda's because you will have to wire them in series.

Good point BookII, nothing is simple. For added confusion, on my 2001, the + hot is black and - neg is white.