Freak electrical fire yesterday... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Paul Workman · 06-11-2018

After 16 years and two cars, the pigtail on my Battery Tender wore a hole in the insulation (the negative wire, as it were) where it drapes over the edge of the gill panel when in use.

When stored, it is coiled up and tucked between the battery and the inner fender. And, that's when the exposed NEG wire accidentally came in contact with the spring clamp attached to the POS battery terminal.

POW! Instantly the negative wire welded itself to the positive spring clamp and the wire between the two battery terminals instantly went orange hot! The wire insulation burst into flames directly UNDER the ECM!

Before I could react, the wire melted, opening the path between the battery terminals and it was over except my heart was still jumping out of my chest!

Note to self: encase that pigtail in a protective wire loom! And, my thought would be for anyone using battery maintainers to "loom" the wires as a hedge against the unthinkable!

.

WARP TEN · 06-11-2018

Scary Paul. Glad the wire melted through before "the full catastrophe"! When and where did it happen? How did you notice it?--Bob

Dynomite · 06-11-2018

I am the only one that disconnects the battery negative cable

Just like ALL the batteries on the Walmart shelf

I used to use battery tenders (many of them) on tractors, ATVs, trucks, cars and had electrical extension cords running all over in the shed. I figured there was more chance of fire than damage from a sulfated/dead battery.

I finally got rid of all electrical extension cords and just disconnected the battery negative terminals. I have found that over winter storage (including the Z) and even compared to a week of leaving the battery connected there is a BIG difference in battery condition (with disconnected negative battery cable) with all batteries now fully charged condition all the time with the Disconnect Switch (I make sure the battery is FULLY CHARGED before disconnecting the battery negative cable)

From experience I get normal battery life using the battery negative cable disconnect method with no issues (not even an issue of wearing out the battery side connect stud on the Z)

Even after several months of battery disconnect I can reconnect the battery and the Z (as well as all other tractors, ATV, trucks, cars) start normally. And....I have NO battery cable connection corrosion and have possibly reduced corrosion of ALL ground connections on frame and engine block.

The Battery Disconnect Switch TIPS

XfireZ51 · 06-11-2018

I also simply disconnect the (-) BAT cable for winter storage or extended periods when car won't be used. I had one of those cable shutoffs in your pic on my 84. Got rid of it when it became impossible to start the car with it on no matter how hard I tightened it.

GOLDCYLON · 06-11-2018

Yikes Paul! We don't need a Phoenix III

efnfast · 06-11-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Yikes Paul! We don't need a Phoenix III

yeah, I'll second that.

Dynomite · 06-11-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

I also simply disconnect the (-) BAT cable for winter storage or extended periods when car won't be used. I had one of those cable shutoffs in your pic on my 84. Got rid of it when it became impossible to start the car with it on no matter how hard I tightened it.

I have these Disconnects on 6 or 7 vehicles and only have to finger tight to start any and all vehicles. When finger tight all vehicles charge perfectly through the connector. I just lift the hood about 6 inches and can disconnect or connect the battery easily using the knob. The negative post is on the outside of the battery easily accessible.

tf95ZR1 · 06-12-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynomite

I am the only one that disconnects the battery negative cable

What about radio pre-sets, alarms, etc.?

Dynomite · 06-12-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by tf95ZR1

What about radio pre-sets, alarms, etc.?

I have no radio pre-sets as I use CD mostly (and easy to select a radio frequency if none pre-set).
No alarms or other items that I am aware of as I have disconnected negative battery terminal on several vehicles maybe 50 times or more.
Sometimes I disconnect the negative battery terminal over night.

Top Toy · 06-12-2018

Whew! Good thing you were there to catch it!

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

06-11-2018	#2
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,094	Re: Freak electrical fire yesterday... Scary Paul. Glad the wire melted through before "the full catastrophe"! When and where did it happen? How did you notice it?--Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

06-11-2018	#3
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,797	Battery Disconnect I am the only one that disconnects the battery negative cable Just like ALL the batteries on the Walmart shelf I used to use battery tenders (many of them) on tractors, ATVs, trucks, cars and had electrical extension cords running all over in the shed. I figured there was more chance of fire than damage from a sulfated/dead battery. I finally got rid of all electrical extension cords and just disconnected the battery negative terminals. I have found that over winter storage (including the Z) and even compared to a week of leaving the battery connected there is a BIG difference in battery condition (with disconnected negative battery cable) with all batteries now fully charged condition all the time with the Disconnect Switch (I make sure the battery is FULLY CHARGED before disconnecting the battery negative cable) From experience I get normal battery life using the battery negative cable disconnect method with no issues (not even an issue of wearing out the battery side connect stud on the Z) Even after several months of battery disconnect I can reconnect the battery and the Z (as well as all other tractors, ATV, trucks, cars) start normally. And....I have NO battery cable connection corrosion and have possibly reduced corrosion of ALL ground connections on frame and engine block. The Battery Disconnect Switch TIPS __________________ Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 06-11-2018 at 01:25 PM.

06-11-2018	#4
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,708	Re: Freak electrical fire yesterday... I also simply disconnect the (-) BAT cable for winter storage or extended periods when car won't be used. I had one of those cable shutoffs in your pic on my 84. Got rid of it when it became impossible to start the car with it on no matter how hard I tightened it. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX

06-11-2018	#5
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,155	Re: Freak electrical fire yesterday... Yikes Paul! We don't need a Phoenix III __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

06-12-2018	#10
Top Toy Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 309	Re: Freak electrical fire yesterday... Whew! Good thing you were there to catch it! Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk __________________ '95 ZR-1, aqua/gray, #167 368 LPE/Haibeck, Web cams, Stainless Works headers, B&B Fusion exhaust, 18" Fikse wheels, Alcon brakes, lowered. 491 SAE RWHP.