[Guide] Better Jump Point Access (Battery Access)

[flapjake314]

i did this but now have a question (maybe i should have asked this before i drilled). do we need the hole for the negative pole? isn't the jumper supposed to go on a ground/frame for the negative?

i know very little about jumping cars thanks

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[luckie]

i did this but now have a question (maybe i should have asked this before i drilled). do we need the hole for the negative pole? isn't the jumper supposed to go on a ground/frame for the negative?

i know very little about jumping cars thanks

The "Jump points" of a vehicle are usually two spots that are more convenient/easier to access than the 12V battery itself. Neither point is on the battery. You need to put clips on both jump points to jump the 12V battery. You do need a hole to access the negative pole jump point and yes that jump point is often connected to a ground/frame, as it is in the Mach-E.

 

[flapjake314]

The "Jump points" of a vehicle are usually two spots that are more convenient/easier to access than the 12V battery itself. Neither point is on the battery. You need to put clips on both jump points to jump the 12V battery. You do need a hole to access the negative pole jump point and yes that jump point is often connected to a ground/frame, as it is in the Mach-E.

i see. so to be absolutely clear, when my 12V is dead, i should collect the + and - from the good car to the + and - JUMP POINTS (the one we're cutting access holes to) on the mach e, correct?

 

[luckie]

i see. so to be absolutely clear, when my 12V is dead, i should collect the + and - from the good car to the + and - JUMP POINTS (the one we're cutting access holes to) on the mach e, correct?

YES.

If you want to learn how to, or later just remind yourself and confirm how, to jump any car, you can always google "how to jump a 12V battery" since it is the same for EVs and gasoline vehicles.

And if you just want to charge up your small 12V battery, you should attach the clamps of a charger to the jump points, not directly to the battery terminals.

 

[HuntingPudel]

i did this but now have a question (maybe i should have asked this before i drilled). do we need the hole for the negative pole? isn't the jumper supposed to go on a ground/frame for the negative?

i know very little about jumping cars thanks

The jump point under the “-“ symbol on the plastic is the main chassis ground. So, if you connect your negative jump clamp or charger clamp to that, you are connecting to the chassis. Due to the BMS sensor being located in line with the battery negative cable, you definitely never want to connect to the battery negative pole. Doing so will throw the BMS off because it bypasses the sensor. ??

 

[Jerrytball]

Mine?

 

[MrLoganRoss]

Here is my attempt at Battery access. I am wondering if the existing covers play some sort of functional role (like preventing water egress), and whether cutting these holes compromise that? I assumed that the covers were purely aesthetics before I cut the holes ?

 

[21st Century Pony]

Here is my attempt at Battery access. I am wondering if the existing covers play some sort of functional role (like preventing water egress), and whether cutting these holes compromise that? I assumed that the covers were purely aesthetics before I cut the holes ?

Pretty much what I have done, including the labels. Super useful mod.

 

[Fins160]

I did this mod a few weeks ago, and so glad I did! My ICE vehicle (2010 Honda Odyssey) battery was dead this morning as I was heading into work. The MachE is my wife’s and I didn’t want to take it and leave her without a vehicle. My jump pack wasn’t working, so my only option was the jump from the MachE. Having this already done saved me tons of time in the Arizona heat not having to remove and replace all the frunk trim pieces. Jumped the van in 5min, was on my way, made it to work on time! Thanks to the forum for the awesome how-to!

 

[rreddy3]

Mine?

Nice. The red is a great touch Jerry.

 

[garyd9]

Just finished this... The caps are temporary until I get time to redesign and reprint them, but these (from thingiverse) work fine for now.

 

[rreddy3]

Just finished this... The caps are temporary until I get time to redesign and reprint them, but these (from thingiverse) work fine for now.

Nice. What is the diameter of the opening?

 

[garyd9]

Nice. What is the diameter of the opening?

~ 2 inches. Probably a tiny bit larger after I cleaned up the holes.

 

[rreddy3]

~ 2 inches. Probably a tiny bit larger after I cleaned up the holes.

Seems to be a good size. I’ve seen sizes from 1.5 to 2.5” mentioned. No problem getting a good bite on the jump points with a 2” opening? Understood that clamp size varies among cables or charging devices.

 

[garyd9]

Seems to be a good size. I’ve seen sizes from 1.5 to 2.5” mentioned. No problem getting a good bite on the jump points with a 2” opening? Understood that clamp size varies among cables or charging devices.

You'd need to have some large clamps to have an issue with the 2 inch holes.

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