Keep getting electrocuted!

[Boblong]

Hey up.

I've noticed I'm getting static shocks from bodywork quite regularly now - could that be a symptom of bad earths?

I'm gonna replace my battery to starter cable and gearbox earth strap.
They look ok but theyre gonna be pretty old so might as well.

Here's a site I found that will do cable measured to the cm:

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... ycable.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is any of these the right kind of cable for a T25, wanted to beef it up and put a higher rated cable in but not even sure what the current one is. (no pun intended)

If not can someone please suggest a supplier of quality cable for this purpose?

Thanks, Bob

[Boblong]

Just had another look in the wiki - this time I found a link to the same page I just linked above^^

Anyway - the wiki says cable 196 is the one (170 amps) but is this a straight replacement or is it actually an upgrade?
Would it help going up to a 240amp welding cable or tinned cable?

Also, with the earthing straps, the one I have from gearbox to chassis is bare (like the one on the linked page)
When I replace it, is it worth sheathing it in any way?


Sorry if these are dumb questions but I'm new to electrics

Ta

[Oldiebut goodie]

Being pedantic - you cannot keep getting electrocuted, you can only die once!

[California Dreamin]

I think you may be completely off the mark by assuming this has anything to do with your bus. This is much more likely electrostatic discharge.

Quote from a specialist site:
Many people experience shocks when they get out of their car. Often they believe that the car is charged - but this is not normally so.

Sitting in the car, electrostatic charges are generated on the car seat and the person's body, due to contact and movement between the clothes and the seat. When the person leaves the seat, They take half of this charge with them. As they get out of the vehicle, their body voltages rises due to this charge - a voltage of 10,000 Volts is not unusual.

When they reach to touch the vehicle door, the electrostatic discharge and shock occurs as their hand approaches the metal door.

The voltage build-up can often be avoided by holding onto a metal part of the door frame as you leave the seat. This provides a return dissipation path for the charge on your body.

If you have forgotten to hold the metal door part as you leave the seat, a shock may often still be avoided by touching the glass window before you touch the metal door. The glass may be conductive enough to dissipate charge, whilst preventing the rapid discharge which is felt as a shock.

If you have your keys in your hand - let the spark discharge through the keys not to your fingers, and you won't feel anything!

Sometimes one of those straps (that you attach to something metal and that touches the floor over bumps) can help.

Martin

[itchyfeet]

WHS^^ you are more likely giving the shocks to the van, polyester clothing is often a culprit.

Being pedantic - you cannot keep getting electrocuted, you can only die once!

[Boblong]

Hahaha was trying to get more views by making it sound interesting, but ok, you got me there. Thanks for the anti-static tips!

Anywaaaaay... back to the original question - the static shock is only what I thought was a symptom of bad earths.

The main question is - Which of the battery cables available would be a decent upgrade on the original?

Is 170 amps ok or should I go to 240?

Also, is it worth putting a sheath on earth straps to gearbox? The original is unsheathed

Cheers

[itchyfeet]

you don't say what engine you have but if it's a water cooled with battery in the front and engine in the back the main cable is something silly like 70mm2 it's not for the current but the voltdrop.

as for the earth cable it's short so smaller cable is fine, 25mm2 I think.

Don't bother insulating the earth strap to the gearbox it will only hold water and accelerate corrosion.

Unless you have starting problems I'd leave the origional main cable.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Don't bother insulating the earth strap to the gearbox it will only hold water and accelerate corrosion.

^^^ WHS - I would recommend that you use the tinned braided strap type as per original. There is no protection for it unlike in an engine bay.

[mgbman]

Regarding new earth straps, remember to clean up the body surface thoroughly back to bare metal before you bolt on the straps.

I had a recent problem with the starter motor not firing up and found that a garage had bolted my nice new straps to rust !!!!

[Oldiebut goodie]

You mean to say that you have some rust on your van?

[Boblong]

Thanks for your replies guys.

@ Itchyfeet, it is a water-cooled 1.6td with the engine AND battery in the back. The cable is just over a metre (it's got some slack in it)
and yes, I do have starting problems so hopefully this will help a bit. Cheers

Thanks ObG and MGB too, good tips. It's always worth asking if you're not sure. No point doin the job twice if you don't have to!

[Boblong]

Well if there was any doubt as to whether or not the starter cable needs replacing....

StarterCable.jpg

That's a yes then

[kevtherev]

Boblong
Put your engine type in your signature

It saves a lot of guesswork

[Boblong]

You're right Kev, will do. Mr Baxter over at Brickwerks reckons it's not the original engine but I think it's still a JX. I'll double-check.

[Cruz]

One of our past cars kept giving me static electric (think it was the carpets) so I decided every time I got out I discharged myself on the wife rather than the bodywork. Such fun