Car Batteries

Could someone please tell me what studies show about replacing a car battery? Is it safe for pacers to do themselves or should it be done otherwise?
Thanks

9 Comments

Batteries...

by pacergirl - 2009-03-05 09:03:13

Hi StrawberryWaffles,

I'm not sure anyone with a great name like yours should have to change their battery. Then again, I may be a bit hasty in coming to that conclusion. =)

If I had to change out a battery, I would take it to the shop. However, there are those with pacemakers who will change it themselves. As long as the car isn't running I would think you would be ok. A person doesn't usually hold the battery very long because it is heavy and it is zip the old one out and zip the new one in.

No problem

by BillMFl - 2009-03-05 10:03:58

Just don't touch the positive and negative posts at the same time. And don't run the engine while changing the battery. And don't drop the battery on your foot. And make sure the red cable goes on the + post. And don't take us seriously all the time. :)

Depends

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-06 01:03:56

It sounds like you know how to do the job, so have at it. I just changed the battery on my Jeep a couple of weeks ago. I always make it a practice to disconnect the ground lead first and reconnect it last. That gives the least chance of dropping a wrench between the hot side and the fender or something. In my old age I make it a practice to wear glasses (safety type if they are handy) just in case a spark throws some hot lead at me.

If you get that done without a problem you can change your own pacer battery when it wears out! (:

frank

NO PROBLEM

by pete - 2009-03-06 02:03:22

Yes go ahead and change your car battery. You will be ay no risk at all. Only safety measures to bear in mind are to remove wrist watches otr metalic bangles etc. Make sure you get the polarity right or your car will not appreciate it. A car battery is only 12 volts DC which is not enough to do any harm to you or your pacemaker. If you are an extremely cautious person , wear a rubber glove on one hand. Cheers Peter

Battery Changing

by SMITTY - 2009-03-06 02:03:37

It must be safe to change out the battery in your vehicle. I've done it many times since I got my pacemaker without a problem. I've even come in contact with both battery terminals several times; I was trying to recharge my internal battery (it didn't work) all without harm to my pacemaker. I have even been shocked by 120 volts (I turned off the wrong circuit breaker - careless I guess) but I have tried very hard to avoid anymore shocks from 120 volts. Not out of concern for the PM but because it makes me move so fast that it hurts.

For more on this subject read the following:

Volts and amps always are found together. Volts are simply flow of electrons. Amps are the force that creates increased electron flow per given equal time intervals. When amps and volts are combined power is created called watts. W=VxI,I being the symbol for amps. It is the amps that will kill you not the volts. The capacity of the human to survive depends upon the circumstances. A person can survive a bolt of lightning and yet be killed by ordinary house current and vice versa..

It's the amps, but you need to have a high voltage to actually push those amps through your body. A car battery can put out over 500 amps, but it doesn't have enough voltage to overcome skin resistance.

Volts hurt amps kill. .6 milliamps (or 6 milliamps, either way very miniscule) can kill someone, now that s across the heart. you can still survive if you get shocked by an outlet but if the current hits your heart it will stop dead.

It is basically understood that the current (amps) is the killer. Here's a couple of web sites to read and learn more.

http://www.codecheck.com/ecution.htm
http://www.bassengineering.com/electroc....

haha

by BillMFl - 2009-03-06 06:03:02

The whole topic is simply shocking!

ha ha!

by Melissa - 2009-03-06 07:03:00

oh, it may be safer to change the battery than to ask an electrical question.....but not nearly as entertaining!!! lol


ha ha

by pacergirl - 2009-03-06 07:03:22

Patch and BillMFI you two leave me feeling electrified! 110 220 whatever it takes... you two always come through and make me laugh.... I agree.... It is safer to ask how to change the battery than ask an electrical question!

Me or you Frank?

by BillMFl - 2009-03-06 11:03:27

Ok Pete, low voltage, but huge amperage. And DC penetrates way better than AC.

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