Crank that Engine, Dummy!

Cranking an Engine

Our researchers here at the Antisocial Network have different methods for identifying our DotD candidates, but most of them will agree that catching someone using a technical – or even semi-technical – term incorrectly is a pretty good sign that the freelancer in question is winging it. Would you trust plumbing instructions from someone who thinks a toilet flange is the rubber flapper? Of course not... Well, you probably don't want to trust automotive information from Andrea Stein of eHow.com, given not only her six previous appearances here (two in automotive) but also her obvious mistakes in "What Voltage Is the Battery In a Car?"; now living at ItStillRuns.com.

As is typical of an eHow post, Stein takes a question that could be answered in just a few words – "Most automotive batteries are 12 volts, a few are six" – and expands on it. Andrea's goofs come in her expansion, although she never does manage to mention that some cars have 6-volt batteries...

After her DMS-required introductory statement, the rather inane

"A car battery refers to a form of rechargeable battery used to provide power in the form of electric energy to the starter motor, ignition system and lights in a car..."

...Stein gets to her point:

"Car batteries generate a nominal 12-volt potential difference, or the voltage supplied by two points in an electric field."

Andrea's scientifically illiterate bastardization of the definition of "potential difference" notwithstanding, the bit about a 12-volt nominal capacity is more or less true. Where Andrea sticks her BA in English in her mouth comes next, as she describes a battery's construction: "[the] 12 volts occur via the connection of six galvanic cells, or cells that are electrochemical in nature and draw energy from chemical reactions occurring within the cell." Yeah, that's how she describes it – leaving out the all-important word "series"; a dead giveaway that Stein knows nothing about electrical circuitry (why should she be different from anyone else who writes for eHow?). Next, Andrea proves she also knows nothing about cars in general as she goes on the "explain" the voltage present in the electrical system of an operating vehicle:

"During engine cranking, a car’s charging system restores charge to the battery. The voltage regulator contained in this the system supplies an average voltage amount of between 13.8 to 14.4 volts. The voltage provided to the car battery decreases as the battery recharges."

No Andrea, the voltage regulator doesn't supply power, the alternator supplies power. And if you're going to write about cars, you blithering idiot, at least learn the difference between "cranking" and "operating." So to return to our original question, would you trust automotive advice from someone who thinks "cranking" is normal operation of an engine? Neither would we. On the other hand, we would be inclined to give Andrea her seventh Dumbass of the Day award...

copyright © 2016-2022 scmrak

DD - AUTOMOTIVE