Battery Charging

Winter season will soon be upon us, and my '73 850 is my first bike with a positive ground. I use a CTEK 800 battery tender for the 12V battery on my negative ground Hinkley Triumph. The CTEK leads are hard wired to the bike, CTEK +ve goes to the positive battery terminal, and -ve goes to a ground on the bike's frame. Now, on a positive ground bike, would the CTEK -ve go to the battery's negative terminal, and the +ve to the bike's ground? Both bikes will be in an insulated garage, with occasional heat from a gas furnace. Should the battery be removed from the bike for winter, and maintained with the CTEK, while on the workbench? By the way, can someone confirm for me that the electrical system on the Commandos are 12 volts? I know that the coils are 6 volts.
thanks

12 Volts

RED-to-RED
BLACK-to-BLACK

That rule never changes no matter whether the ground is positive or negative.

In my case I just slip the seat back to connect to the negative terminal of the exposed battery, and click the other (Red) lead to the large frame bolt/nut on the top left of the 'Z' plate.

Note#1: I have the battery mounted terminals face out, using a foam block between it and the side panel to retain it in place. Note#2: If you want the 'Float' function to work on the charger, remove the fuse
Note#3: I leave it in the bike . Others say (perhaps validly) that the acid fumes of a charging battery will eventually damage the finish. If on merely a "float" cycle, however, I would believe significant fumes wouldn't be generated.

Others may have different experiences to share. :?:

On my bike, I've got the vent hose nearly touching the ground, which keeps any fumes well away from any finishes.

The only time to remove the battery, IMO, is if the bike is being put up for and extended period.

singring said:

Winter season will soon be upon us, and my '73 850 is my first bike with a positive ground. I use a CTEK 800 battery tender for the 12V battery on my negative ground Hinkley Triumph. The CTEK leads are hard wired to the bike, CTEK +ve goes to the positive battery terminal, and -ve goes to a ground on the bike's frame. Now, on a positive ground bike, would the CTEK -ve go to the battery's negative terminal, and the +ve to the bike's ground? Both bikes will be in an insulated garage, with occasional heat from a gas furnace. Should the battery be removed from the bike for winter, and maintained with the CTEK, while on the workbench? By the way, can someone confirm for me that the electrical system on the Commandos are 12 volts? I know that the coils are 6 volts.
thanks

Click to expand...

Yes way too many people get caught up in the +ground or -ground problem its just a DC circuit with the frame being a very thick piece of wire
yes 12 Volts.

If you have a good voltmeter (reads accurately) make sure that you don' t overcharge the battery. The float voltage should be no more than 13.9 volts. Overcharging is as bad as leaving a battery discharged over the winter. You will boil off the acid and the lead plates will form deposits on them. If you are not sure of your charger or charge volts, charge it for about a week or less every month and leave it the rest of the time, but you have to remember. Keeping the battery warm also helps, cold is bad for batteries, especially if they are not charged. You should only have to worry about fumes if you are overcharging the battery.

Dave
69 'S' project

-VE goes to the - on the battery. + VE goes to the frame or + on the battery.

Your system is 12 volts, your coils should be 6volts if you are running electronic ignition as they are then wired in series.

I wire pigtails to my bikes' batteries and zip tie the connector to the frame in a convenient location. Year round, if the bike's in the garage, it's on the Battery Tender. I get 7-8 years battery life, routinely, and they're not dead when I replace them - I just don't believe in courting trouble by pushing it further than that (only the Commando has a kicker, the rest are electric start only, and some are FI so I can't even count on being able to push start).