yellow tape on battery negative terminal

[woodyracing]

Is this a requirement for racing ? I can't find it anywhere in the MSA blue book, where is it hiding ?

thanks
Andy.

[Suze]

It's definitely a requirement for sprinting [would presume it's in the sprinting bit somewhere, did find it in the blue book a while ago].

[JimW]

Originally Posted by Blue Book 2006

E.12.14.5. Have the battery earth lead, if not readily distinguishable, identified by a yellow marking.

So that would be all along its length then?

Regards

Jim

[woodyracing]

thanks for the quote, I will check it out when i got home.

[woodyracing]

right found it!

i still think the blue book is one of the most confusing books to follow. I mean ok they have sections with letters, but why arent they in alpabetical order. Also try looking for diagram Q30 in section Q

[rcarr]

Why? I have always wondered why? Why yellow and why negative?

Cheers

[goforit500]

Originally Posted by rcarr

Why? I have always wondered why? Why yellow and why negative?

Cheers

Deep, meaningful and provoking question :-)

[Austinspace75]

I'm guessing here but, maybe its something to do with way electrons flow from negative to positive, therefore any sparks that occur originate from the components connected to the earth strap... so that's the best one to disconnect. Also, any latent charge remaining in the coil after the engine has stopped would be unable to earth at all. Regarding the yellow marking, I'm guessing that its because its unlikely that any other wires will be that colour (although I have seen some HT leads in yellow)... and its bright and immediately identifiable.... orange can be mistaken for red and vice-versa, blue for green etc. and most other colours are generally a darker shade than a proper yellow.

ok, there's a few guesses... one of them must be right...!

[rcarr]

On my car, the yellow earthing negative is just attached to the frame, nothing more.

[midgetman]

Electrons? Not as complicated as that, ever tried cutting through the live lead with metal cutters and earthing them against the body? Soon see why you should diconnect the earth first!

Colour? Dunno.The Blue Book says it need be yellow if it's not obvious e.g. not an open braided cable. But isn't yellow/green stripe earth in household circuits?

[Austinspace75]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Electrons? Not as complicated as that, ever tried cutting through the live lead with metal cutters and earthing them against the body? Soon see why you should diconnect the earth first!

aaaaaaaahhhhh!

ta for clearing that up!

[Adam43]

Quite true, generally the body is negative, so cut the negative!
Presumably they would like something different on a positive-earth car (e.g. an early E-Type)?

JimW's quote shows it is needed, I presumed it was as we've always done it! You might as well really, small job.

[woodyracing]

I think a big thick black cable is readily distinguishable from a red one but I will still put some yellow tape on the negative anyway,

[scrutineer]

Originally Posted by woodyracing

I think a big thick black cable is readily distinguishable from a red one but I will still put some yellow tape on the negative anyway,

It is distinguishable at the moment but if you put it into the tyres it might not be as easy to see, and if you dont put it on you know you will only attract trouble

[Al Weyman]

I have mine wrapped in the Euro and UK standard earth marking of yellow and green striped tape which the scruts seem very happy with and its readily available at electrical stores.

[JimW]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

I have mine wrapped in the Euro and UK standard earth marking of yellow and green striped tape which the scruts seem very happy with and its readily available at electrical stores.

That seems a much better idea to me. Even complies with the regs if you take a sensible view!

The metal tool safety argument is one good reason but also there tends to be a proliferation of 'live' leads and only one earth strap. When you disconnect that you are reasonably sure of what has been done. But remember to check that the metalwork has not been pressed onto the battery terminal or the casing pierced by an earthed metal object. For rescue crew, a task after disconnecting the earth strap will often be the removal of the battery from the vehicle. (On non race prepared cars however, there may be a need to keep the battery there so that electric windows and boot locks etc. can be operated.)

Regards

Jim

[JimW]

Originally Posted by woodyracing

right found it!

i still think the blue book is one of the most confusing books to follow. I mean ok they have sections with letters, but why arent they in alpabetical order. Also try looking for diagram Q30 in section Q

That's why I download the electronic version and then search that. Unfortunately there are many PDF files but with the search facilities in either Vista or Acrobat reader 7, one can search all the files at once.

Now I must get around to downloading the 2007 files.

Regards

Jim

[rescue dude]

I have marked my earth lead with yellow tape but i have a thick yellow cable going to the positive on the battery. Not fitted by me but fitted by the manufacturer.

I've covered it in that coiled cable tidy stuff that the mrs bought for the back of the tv/dvd/video etc.

She comes in handy sometimes.

[woodyracing]

Originally Posted by JimW

That's why I download the electronic version and then search that. Unfortunately there are many PDF files but with the search facilities in either Vista or Acrobat reader 7, one can search all the files at once.

Now I must get around to downloading the 2007 files.

Regards

Jim

cool, anyone know the link to the PDF files ? i cant seem to find them on the msa website

[JimW]

Originally Posted by woodyracing

cool, anyone know the link to the PDF files ? i cant seem to find them on the msa website

Ah I'm not surprised. You have to be a secret master of the 14th degree (or a bit sad) before mere mortals can be given such information. (Add evil laugh as required. )

It took me several tries and some persistence to be able to login to the site. When you do that, an entry appears in the left hand menu bar 'Members Publications'. Follow that.

Regards

Jim

[JohnD]

Woody,
The Blue Book used to have its sections in alphabetical order, until this year, when, "It has been colour coded and is more descriptive and 'user friendly'. It is easier to navigate for the people to whom it is most relevant - our licence holders and officials." (Chairman's message, p5)

But don't despair, "A far more fundamental revision is scheduled for 2008"!

It's easy to mock, the Regs have been adapated and added to over many years, and they did need revision. So we'll have to see next year.

John

[Tony Crossley]

Originally Posted by woodyracing

Is this a requirement for racing ? I can't find it anywhere in the MSA blue book, where is it hiding ?

thanks
Andy.

I'd have thought that for racing the Battery master switch negated the need for the yellow tape, seeing as that will shut down all electricals.
Certinaly I've never had yellow tape on the negative lead of my race cars, and it's never been asked for by any scruts. They check the master switch works and they are happy.
The master switch is a requirement for circuit racing.

[Al Weyman]

That may be true but what harm does it do to wrap a bit of yellow/green tape around the main earth and red around the live.

[midgetman]

Actually, isn't it the EARTH lead that needs to be yellow not NEGATIVE? It just so happens that your cars are negy earth, my first MG was possy. The whole yellow tape thingy is to stop marshals hving this discussion with themselves.

[Adam43]

or even an early E.