Regulator Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Ok, this may sound really silly but, I seriously don't know the answer. I am going to install my central locking and was just thinking of how I was going to do this and it occured to me that I will need to completely unscrew a bolt from the + terminal to supply the 12v feed to the control unit. I will also need to ground the wires for the unit. So, my question is, am I allowed to touch the positive terminal and the bolt on it with my bare hands without electricuting or killing myself? Also, where is the best place in the lupo to ground wires. I know where my sub and amp all in one was grounded, can I use the same place for this central locking kit, or do I need to find a different place? Any help would be most appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snail Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 The seatbelt bolts are usually the best place to secure an earth connection. As long as you dont create a curcuit when touching the terminal, you should be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Always remove the earth lead on the battery first and replace last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 If you must touch the + lead what about if you jump while doing it, then your not earthed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Unless you have a pacemaker or an uncommon heart condition it's 99.99999999999999999% certain that you won't even notice touching 12 volts. Having said that the real risk is what happens if you drop the spanner while undoing the bolt on the 12 volt terminal. If it stays touching the terminal and falls touching the bodywork then it will short the battery out - there will be LOTS of arcing, sparking, noise and LOTS of (very flammable) hydrogen gas produced. <font color="red"> DON'T DO IT!!! </font> Always disconnect the earth terminal first (if the spanner falls and shorts - nothing will happen), then you can safely work on the 12 volt terminal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If you must touch the + lead what about if you jump while doing it, then your not earthed [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulator Posted August 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 ok cool. Thanks for the help!! ... Just one thing, if the fuse keeps blowing for any reason, am I allowed to connect the ground wires 1st and then move onto connecting the positive? or is this a no no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee_ Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 I don't think you are supposed to touch any seat belt mounting bolts. Could be wrong though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee_ Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] ok cool. Thanks for the help!! ... Just one thing, if the fuse keeps blowing for any reason, am I allowed to connect the ground wires 1st and then move onto connecting the positive? or is this a no no? [/ QUOTE ] Its always best practice to connect the negative battery lead last. If it keeps blowing fuses something isn't right and needs sorting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulator Posted August 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] ok cool. Thanks for the help!! ... Just one thing, if the fuse keeps blowing for any reason, am I allowed to connect the ground wires 1st and then move onto connecting the positive? or is this a no no? [/ QUOTE ] Its always best practice to connect the negative battery lead last. If it keeps blowing fuses something isn't right and needs sorting. [/ QUOTE ] Ok, thanks for that. Am about to go out now and see what happens. thanks again for everybody's help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordz Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 Have you done much elecrical work on a car before ? No offence intended but i have seen quite a lot of very dangerous install's made by people who dont know too much about what it is they are doing and fitting central locking is a fairly tough start if it's from the ground up. You can put an earth on just about any part of the car's chassis as long as it doesnt restrict any mechanical part of the car,doesnt pierce the outer skin and doesnt go through other cables/fueltank/pipes,i use as do most self drilling screws for such a thing and if it is earthed under the rear seat's (keeping the earth cable as short as possible) you can put a ring terminal on the end and bolt it using the seat belt catch fixture but get advice from an mot test centre for that one or someplace similar. Good luck on your install need any advice on it just ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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