Can i just pull the positive lead on a car battery to keep it from draining?

Question

instead of removing it...

Answer 1

you can remove either one but why not fit the problem

Answer 2

When disconnecting the battery, no matter what the reason is, you should always disconnect the negative cable first.  The reason is that the modern automotive electrical system is a 12 volt negative ground.

While removing the negative cable, if you accidentally touch the negative terminal of the battery or the cable to another part of the car that is also grounded, you will not do any damage.  On the other hand, when removing the positive cable first, you could accidentally touch the wrench to a part on the car that is grounded which would cause a dead short circuit between the positive side of the battery and the ground side of the battery.  This will cause electrical system damage, blow fuses or fusible links, make a bunch of sparks, possibly even explode the battery.  Although it would be best if you could eliminate the source of the parasitic drain on the battery, removing the negative battery cable will suffice.  Just take care when removing and installing the cable end to the battery terminal to not strip the threads in the battery terminal, on a side terminal battery, or damage the fastener holding the terminal on the top post battery by over tightening.

Answer 3

you are leaving the vehicle for a longer period with out use, it is better to remove both the terminals to avoid carousing on the battery terminals and on the battery. Remove the battery from the vehicle and keep it on a wooden plank and cover the battery with a rubber sheet or with a plastic sheet to avoid un expected short circuit.

Answer 4

Yes you can. But you should remove the negative ( or ground ) lead not the positive.

Or if it is a car that is parked up for a while then why not fir a battery cut off switch

eg: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNIVERSAL-BATTERY-...