German autos use 12v DC negative ground battery?
Apr 27, 2007, 6:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1
German autos use 12v DC negative ground battery?
Going to Germany in a few weeks. Do German autos use 12v DC negative ground battery. Also are the accessory plugs outlets the same as a US auto models? Will a US 12v DC adapter plug work in German auto rental with Garmin GPS 76CSx (US model) in a European auto. Or should I just use AA bats.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Apr 30, 2007, 8:19 pm
#4
In memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Catlett, VA, USA
Programs: UA GS/1K/2MM, HH Diamond, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 383
Regardless I love my 61 TR3
Apr 30, 2007, 10:37 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Woodside, CA, USA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 517
Going to Germany in a few weeks. Do German autos use 12v DC negative ground battery. Also are the accessory plugs outlets the same as a US auto models? Will a US 12v DC adapter plug work in German auto rental with Garmin GPS 76CSx (US model) in a European auto. Or should I just use AA bats.
Thanks.
Thanks.
you'll be fine.
Apr 30, 2007, 10:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Woodside, CA, USA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 517
Yes, but they also had enough other traditional problems with their electrical systems that relying on AA batteries instead of a 12V adapter is just plain common sense, positive ground or not. It's always amazed me that English cars have so many problems with their electrical systems when it's wet, as its not exactly uncommon to find damp conditions in England. You'd think they'd have trouble with hot and dry climates, but no, just cold and wet.
Bob
May 1, 2007, 3:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago ORD
Programs: UA GS Million Miler, Hilton Diamond, Marriott/Starwood Gold
Posts: 143
May 1, 2007, 10:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 660
May 2, 2007, 12:00 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,801
Positive ground wasn't used for too long. I think (if someone can explain the physics/chemistry) it accelerates rust over negative ground? Certainly, the '68 XJ Jag I once had (made its way to Canada via South America - Argentina IIRC) had negative ground. I did have someone once ask me for a jumpstart on his TR or MG that had positive ground.
May 2, 2007, 12:06 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
You can put it away, but if they detected a detector you'll be screwed.
If your UK detector is GPS based then you'll be ok.
May 2, 2007, 12:27 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
No no no. DO worry. Most European cops use a pretty decent radar detector detector (RDD), don't trust the manual of your detector if it says that it can "beat" the RDD, cause it won't.
You can put it away, but if they detected a detector you'll be screwed.
If your UK detector is GPS based then you'll be ok.
You can put it away, but if they detected a detector you'll be screwed.
If your UK detector is GPS based then you'll be ok.
I've only been stopped once while driving in Europe, the Gendarmes stopped me near Marne La Valee. I hid the radar detector, paid 250 Euro, and drove away. I was never asked about a radar detector... perhaps his lack of English and my limited French had something to do with it?
May 2, 2007, 1:00 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,605