> Some instructions on how to use jumper cables are wrong if you drive an older > (stupid) car. My mom had an old Ford before and lost polarity on the alternator > (basically frying it... wouldn't harge the battery after that) simply because she > connected the black cable to the negative terminal. The tech said to never do that > and always just connect the black cable to the frame or whatever. > > I never use the negative terminal when using jumper cables because of this and I've > never had an alternator problem myself.
You make the last connection to ground away from the battery so as to not cause a spark that will ignite hydrogen gas from the battery and BOOM!!!