OK, for those that know me real well you know I'm no mechanic. The most complicated things I've done are to replace a radiator, steering wheel and brakes.

So go gently on me.

Here is my issue:

The battery in my Z is brand-new last spring. Went with Interstate as many had recommended. Now I'm trying to connect my trickle charger and the battery is sparking when I connect the positive lead to the + terminal and the negative lead to the - terminal. It is doing this without the trickle charger being plugged in. I tried the same thing with my larger battery charger and the same thing is happening.

Any ideas on what is going on here?

Scratching my head in Darien.

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Ross Williams
1978 280Z Black Pearl Edition 38k Original Miles

like a big spark? like a short?

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Mike Tubiak
1978 Datsun 280Z - HLS30-438694

Ross ~ disconnect either of the battery terminals and this won't happen.
(Red to positive, black to negative, pleaZe).

It's not supposed to happen, and there is something wrong somewhere, but by disconnecting one terminal you should break whatever circuit is shorting and let you trickle the battery.

The key's off, right?

Frank

I just tried to call you but you didn't pick up.

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1970 240Z

Well I don't know if it's a short Mike. I assume it is.

Thanks Frank. I removed the terminals and hooked it up directly to the battery posts. It's on charge!

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Ross Williams
1978 280Z Black Pearl Edition 38k Original Miles

Monitor it in about 5 minutes, checking for suspicious heat on any of the charger or battery components. It's unlikely that you would have a shorted cell in a 1 yr old battery, but life is strange.

If anything feels hot to the touch, turn the charger off, disconnect it at the wall, then at the battery.

Not sure what's going on there.......

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1970 240Z

Will do Frank. Ever since the tragedy involving the Sullivans I have really thought twice about having things hooked up in the garage while we are sleeping. The garage is on the opposite side from our bedrooms and if a fire ever started there it would be raging before we detected it. I'll watch the battery and charger and probably disconnect it tonight. Once the battery is fully charged I'll keep the trickle charger on it.

Thanks again for the help!

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Ross Williams
1978 280Z Black Pearl Edition 38k Original Miles

I discussed this with Vinny and he agrees that there is a circuit ON inside the car (the key, a light, the radio, the rear defroster, etc).

By disconnecting the terminal(s) you are breaking the connection to that circuit, so the battery should take a charge without 'donating' anything to the faulty circuit. Can you turn off your alarm system while you charge the battery?

Still don't undrstnd how a trickler or charger which is off and unplugged could complete a circuit across the top of the battery....... they have internal diodes which should prevent that, no matter what's happening inside the car.

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1970 240Z

Wow. In less than an hour I've received input from two very knowledgeable sources. If only you guys were around for my first Z, it might have made it. But I guess then I never would have owned the Black Pearl, which I am in love with. Too many cars, so little garage space.

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Ross Williams
1978 280Z Black Pearl Edition 38k Original Miles

Well, see? You started a Club which helps each other.

Or tries to!

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1970 240Z

Must of been something left on, and shouldn't be an issue. IMO, best to charge battery with Neg cable disconnected.

Yeah, maybe his dash clock is on steroids!!

He probably left that stupid rear defroster ON ~ I used to do that all the time. That's a stronger current draw than I suspected.

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1970 240Z

yeah Ross that Z looked like a keeper. well at least to me....

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Mike Tubiak
1978 Datsun 280Z - HLS30-438694

Hey dont mock that dash clock on steroids thing....Mine went into full speed one day, the minute hand was going around like a second hand, then died, very freeky thing, never ever saw this happen before.

["the minute hand was going around like a second hand"]

Well, time flies when you're enjoying yrslf.....maybe you were just having too much fun?

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1970 240Z

Nope, seriously. I sat there watching it, scratching my head, then went to get the video camera, and by the time I got back out to the garage it stop, and hasn't worked since.