RXV battery connection procedure

[jdunmyer]

Just for the heckuvit, I disconnected a battery cable to do a bit of measurment on my new RXV. I'm pretty sure the switch was in 'Tow' at the time, but I found it didn't seem to make much difference: there's a terrible arc when you touch the cable to the battery post. It's my understanding that this is "normal". Seems like it'd be a very Bad Idea to fool with battery connections immediately after the thing comes off charge, what with the high concentration of hydrogen.

Do these things not have a pre-charge resistor like many others? I've thought about using a loose resistor between the cable end and the battery terminal just before making the connection.

[cgtech]

I do exactly that, use a precharge resistor while i make the connection. It seems caused by the DC convertor, the older ones without a convertor dont do this. The resistor is a good safety procedure whenever any significant work is done, or on vehicles that i know spark when connected.

[jdunmyer]

Thanks for the tip, I'll use a resistor when connecting cables in the future.

I thought the DC converter was 'off' when the key switch is 'off'. Or is it one of those deals where power is applied all the time and a 3rd input wire energizes the thing?