Can You Jumpstart a Car In The Rain?


It’s just as safe to jump-start a car in the pouring rain as it is on a sunny day. The reason for that it a car runs on 12 volt DC power.

This voltage and the amount of amperage is not enough to cause you any harm. In fact, you could touch both battery terminals at the same time and have no effects on you.

The only electrical system in a car that can hurt you is the car’s ignition system because it produces thousands of volts but at a very low amperage, which normally should kill you, but instead will feel like a stun gun. it will hurt

Otherwise, jump-starting the car in the rain would be the same as jump-staring a car with no rain. The only thing you really have to worry about is hooking the terminals incorrectly, as it can lead to expensive electronic failure. Other then that, you shouldn’t worry about jump-starting the car in the rain

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How properly jump-start a car in the rain

Make sure the cables or any other electrical components of the car are positioned securely to keep it safe.

Always place it in the right order to prevent increasing the risk of the battery being short-circuited.

WARNING: Make sure not to mess up the polarity! One wire should connect two “pluses”, and the second — two “minuses”. If you mix up the polarity, there will be a short circuit, which can lead to expensive electronic failure.

1. Pre-Procedures

The engine of the donor car should work for about 5 minutes at 2000…3000 RPM before the procedure. This is done so that the battery is additionally charged.

The engines, ignition and all electrical devices of both vehicles must be switched off before jump-starting. This is a mandatory requirement.

2. Connecting Wires

Connect the ends of the “plus” wire first to the battery of the donor car (from which your jump-starting), and then to the recipient car.

Connect the ends of the” negative ” battery wire. First to the “minus” of the battery of the donor car, and then to any metal surface clean from the paint (for example, the engine block) or to a protrusion on the body of the car.

However, remember that at the time of starting the engine, there is a possibility of a spark on the “minus” wire, which can land on oil and dirt, which in turn can provoke fire and even an explosion.

Therefore, follow basic fire safety, and “jump-start” in the open air or in a well-ventilated area.

3. Final Steps

Get to the recipient car and try to start the engine.

If the donor car’s battery is fine (and you have done everything right), the engine will start without any problems.

Set the engine speed to 1500…2000 rpm, let it run for about 5 minutes so that the battery has some capacity.

Disconnect the wires from both batteries in reverse order (that is, first disconnect them from the recipient, and then from the donor, remove the “minus” wire first, and then the “plus” one), pack them, and close the car hoods.

Can you change the battery in the rain

Yes, while car batteries can deliver high currents, their voltage is only about 12v, so it is perfectly safe to change the battery in the rain and it’s highly unlikely you’ll get electrocuted. 

Water will not cause a short circuit between the terminals, there will be some current flow through the water, but it will be minimal and totally harmless to you.

You probably have no idea how often batteries get wet under bonnets (hoods), so they are designed to cope with it, and usually dry from the engine or ambient heat before any significant drain occurs.

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