Proper Battery Disconnect Sequence
If you find the need to perform service on the battery or electrical system of a sled fitted with a battery, be sure to follow the proper procedure for disconnecting and re-connecting the battery to prevent damage to any of the sensitive electrical components. The newer sleds have far more electronics on board than they did in the past, so they are more demanding in this regard.
Always disconnect battery cables exactly in this order; disconnect the BLACK negative cable first, and then disconnect the RED positive cable.
Always connect battery cables exactly in this order; connect RED positive cable first, then connect BLACK negative ground cable.
The reason for this sequence is simple – by having the black ground wire disconnected as you work on the red hot wire, if you should accidentally contact the chassis with the wrench while contacting the red battery terminal, you will not be shorting the battery with the ground disconnected. This sequence is actually wise to use on ANY vehicle with a battery. Always have the ground wire disconnected when you are connecting or disconnecting the red positive terminal.
From the November 2015 issue of SnowTech Magazine. (September, 2015)
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