2000 Suzuki Vitara Buying battery cables

JANLAFATA

MEMBER
2000 SUZUKI VITARA
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
73,000 MILES

I admit it. I'm a weenie when it comes to using battery cable because when I was younger I got shocked once while jumping someone. But I want to buy a set of jumper cables to have on hand and, for obvious reasons, I don't want ones with clamps that are bare metal.

I found some at Sears that are nice and the clamps are coated in vinyl. Is that good enough to protect me from shock?

3 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

As long as the handles have rubber or other insulator on them and the jumper cables are not damaged (even the smallest bare spot in the cables will let electricity pass on to your body) you will be okay. The actual grips of the jumper cables have to be bare obviously or it would never be able to pass the electricity from one battery to the other.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, April 10th, 2009 AT 7:14 PM

JANLAFATA

MEMBER
7 POSTS

So your saying then that the nice Vinyl covering that I saw on the set of cables at Sears will do the job, because I just will not touch a bare metal clamp, no matter how safe it is!

I've also seen some cable with plastic on the grips and that looks safe to but the ones with the vinyl are nicer cables.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, April 11th, 2009 AT 9:40 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Yes vinly is a good insulator. Of course the best insulation would be rubber covered grips. Those are the most expensive though usually. Oh and be sure to install the ground wire BEFORE the power wire. That will also help some unwanted shocks ;) I know how it feels though and I can tell you from experience, peeing on an electric fence hurts worse! Lol

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, April 11th, 2009 AT 10:51 PM