+ or - Electrical system?

[Juddy]

Hi again everyone.

Can any of you tell me are we dealing with a 6V + or - electrical system on my A10? Is there a simple tell, that i could use to identify the polarity?

[beezermacc]

Standard wiring on an A10 is +ve earth from about 1950. The early A7 longstrokes were, I think, negative earth. You can choose which earth you want by flashing the dynamo, i.e. connect the positive side of a battery to the dynamo case and tickle the 'F' dynamo terminal with a lead from the negative side of your battery; this should polarise the dynamo to +ve earth.

[Slippery Sam]

Juddy,
The easy way to tell how it's set up at the moment is to trace the battery terminal leads.  One will go directly to an earth (usually bolted directly to the frame).  If the + battery terminal is connected to the frame you have +'ve earth.
If it's not currently running or you have no battery or can't tell - then Follow Beezermacc's instructions - it's quite quick and easy to do.
Your electircs will work either way round and the dynamo will charge either way round (once flashed as above) and there's loads or previous threads and articles on charging and electrics - so worth a search if you're digging deeper.
good luck
Raymond.

[Juddy]

Ahh cheers lads. Knew i could count on all of you, will go check now!!!

[Juddy]

It's a positive system. Thanks once again everyone.

[beezermacc]

Juddy,
The easy way to tell how it's set up at the moment is to trace the battery terminal leads.  One will go directly to an earth (usually bolted directly to the frame).  If the + battery terminal is connected to the frame you have +'ve earth.

.

.................... assuming the battery has been wired up correctly. Sometimes you are better starting from scratch but, obviously, if everything works OK, leave it alone.

[duTch]

 I started to respond here the other day but suddenly had work to do and lost it.....went along th same line as without stating the obvious;-

The easy way to tell how it's set up at the moment is to trace the battery terminal leads.  One will go directly to an earth (usually bolted directly to the frame).  If the + battery terminal is connected to the frame you have +'ve earth.
If it's not currently running or you have no battery or can't tell - then Follow Beezermacc's instructions - it's quite quick and easy to do.
Your electircs will work either way round and the dynamo will charge either way round (once flashed as above) and there's loads or previous threads and articles on charging and electrics - so worth a search if you're digging deeper.

 I initially had +ve earth as per being a stickler for tradition, but kept losing track of stuff and blowing stuff up (not saying I'm dyslexic, bi-polar or manic, though sometimes I wonder), so opted to change to -ve earth for simplicity, and ease and interchangeability of (L.E.D.) bulbs and like

 Where in Oz you at again...?

[Juddy]

Hey mate.

I'm up just north of brisbane. I've just recently had an electronic ignition kit fitted to the old girl and she kicks like it's nothing for her now, so easy. But I could've sworn that the last time I charged the battery it was negative earth. Obviously the chaps at the mechanics had taken it upon themselves to "fix" the problem without letting me know before i ordered my L.E.D. for the Tail light; (- earth), which mysteriously wasn't working when i got it back. They also took it upon themselves to rewire the kill switch from the handlebars to the light switch on the headlight binnacle.

I'm a pretty patient bloke, and take most things in my stride. But I won't be going back to these chaps anymore, I'm loyal to a point but once i get there i go no further.

As it is i'm going to get the wiring harness redone entirely at another organisation in brisbane that's far more professional. Theres just far too many stray wires from past attempts still hanging around.

[duTch]

 geez cuz, 'just north of Briz' could mean Caboolture area? I'm officially Sunny Coast, but work has me suckered into BrizVageus. I'm no professional, but happy to help I'll Pm my Ph# can call back

[Greybeard]

As it is i'm going to get the wiring harness redone entirely at another organisation in brisbane that's far more professional. Theres just far too many stray wires from past attempts still hanging around.

I bought a new wiring harness from, I think, Draganfly. It's not a difficult job to fit a harness. The new one has the advantage of earth return wires so you don't need to use the bike frame as an earth.

[bsa-bill]

The new one has the advantage of earth return wires

One of the first jobs to be done on purchase I'd suggest, can make a big difference to lights when the little electrons do not have to traverse through the grease and muck in steering bearings