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--- techtalk:evo:elec01 [2022/08/17 19:49]
ixl2relax [Grounding is Critical]
+++ techtalk:evo:elec01 [2023/04/28 05:31]
ixl2relax [Battery Voltage Readings]
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ====== ELECTRICAL BASICS ======
+**Power Distribution** is discussed in the <font 18px>[[techtalk:evo:elec02|Electrical Charging Section]]</font>.
 The Reference Section also has related information:
@@ Line 132: / Line 134: @@
 {{:techtalk:evo:elec:BatteryPost-Melted-Arcing-TheDoctor71.jpg?600|}}((http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2071578 - Pic from The Doctor71 - Annotated by IXL2Relax)) {{:techtalk:evo:elec:batterypost-ziptie-sportsterpaul.jpg?280|}}((Pic from SportsterPaul))\\
-As you can see in the pictures above, if the connections are not tight even the posts can melt due to high current arcing. In addition to tightening the bolts, you can physically restrain the connectors with a zip tie around the battery post. With proper placement, even the rubber boots can be put back in place.
+As you can see in the pictures above, if the connections are not tight even the posts can melt due to high current arcing. The operational vibrations often loosen bolts of all sorts on the bike, including the battery cables. In addition to tightening the bolts, you can physically restrain the connectors with a zip tie around the battery post. With proper placement, even the rubber boots can be put back in place.
 \\
@@ Line 150: / Line 152: @@
 ===== Battery Voltage Readings =====
-From the XLForum.net ((sportsterdoc of the XLFOUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1784651 with slight modifications))
+From the XLForum.net ((from sportsterdoc of the XLFOUM http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1784651 with slight modifications))
 Whenever there is a problem that may even remotely be electrical, it is important to know the quality of power with which you are operating. This is why you should have a volt-ohm meter (DVM/Multimeter) and take voltage readings, as described below, as part of your initial diagnostics.
@@ Line 239: / Line 241: @@
 {{techtalk:evo:elec:04-later-groundpoints.jpg?600|}}((http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1891463 - Pic from Chopsticks - Annotated by IXL2Relax))\\
-Plus, there is the Engine-to-Frame Grounding Strap under the rear of the engine\\
+There is an Engine-to-Frame Grounding Strap under the rear of the engine\\
 {{techtalk:evo:elec:04-rear-grounding-strap.jpg?600|}}((http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1891463 - Pic from Chopsticks - Annotated by IXL2Relax))
 ===== Testing for Proper Grounds =====
-It's possible to use a volt/ohm meter, or Digital Volt Meter (DVM), to check the resistance from any ground point on the bike back to the negative battery terminal. Such resistance checks can discover problems. To do this type of check, the meter is set on a low resistance scale (less than 100ohms if possible). The negative battery cable should be removed from the battery (to disable power on the bike). One lead of the meter is placed on the battery end of the battery cable (now disconnected from the battery) while the other end is placed on the ground point being checked. If properly connected, the meter should read a very low resistenace, nearly ZERO (usually less than one ohm).
+It's possible to use a volt/ohm meter, or Digital Volt Meter (DVM), to check the resistance from any ground point on the bike back to the negative battery terminal. Such resistance checks can discover problems. To do this type of check, the meter is set on a low resistance scale (less than 100ohms if possible).
+**BE SURE TO ZERO THE METER** - When using the ohms scale on any meter, before taking measurements be sure to Zero The Meter. This means, put both meter probes together & see what the reading indicates. Often, the meter will read a small bit of resistance. When making ground checks, this 'small bit of resistance' must be accounted for in your readings. If the probes together show 0.25 ohms of resistance and you check a ground point as 0.60 ohms, you need to subtract the probe resistance from the reading -- 0.60 minus 0.25 equals a true reading of 0.35 ohms at the ground point being checked.
+The negative battery cable should be removed from the battery (to disable power on the bike). One lead of the meter is placed on the battery end of the negative cable (now disconnected from the battery) while the other end is placed on the ground point being checked. If properly connected, the meter should read a very low resistenace, nearly ZERO (usually less than one ohm).
-A quick and dirty test (although not able to detect borderline issues) can be performed with a __powered__ test light connected between the negative battery cable and the ground point under examination. These test lights sometimes look like pens or screwdrivers with a pointed probe and a small internal battery. If the light illuminates, there is a circuit connection between the two points being tested. This is similar to using the multimeter continuity check. The meter also sends power through the circuit to see if the circuit is completed.
+Using a test light - A quick and dirty test (although not able to detect borderline issues) can be performed with a __powered__ test light connected between the negative battery cable and the ground point under examination. These test lights sometimes look like pens or screwdrivers with a pointed probe and a small internal battery. If the light illuminates, there is a circuit connection between the two points being tested. This is similar to using the multimeter continuity check. The meter also sends power through the circuit to see if the circuit is completed.
 \\
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 First, set your meter to read DC voltage where 12 volts is easily measured (maybe the 20v scale). Place the red lead from the meter on the positive battery terminal. In fact, you should find a way to clamp it on that terminal (maybe using a plastic spring clamp). Be very careful not to short the positive terminal to any part of the bike.
-Now measure a **REFERENCE VOLTAGE**. Place the black lead on the negative battery terminal to take an initial voltage reading of the battery itself. This voltage should be close to 12.8 DC volts. Whatever your voltage reading, directly on the battery, will be called the REFERENCE VOLTAGE.
+Now measure a **REFERENCE VOLTAGE**. Place the black lead on the negative battery terminal to take an initial voltage reading of the battery itself. This voltage should be close to 12.8 DC volts. Whatever your voltage reading, directly on the battery, will be called the **REFERENCE VOLTAGE**.
-When checking the voltage between the positive terminal of the battery and ANY GROUND POINT on the bike, you should have a voltage reading very close to the Reference Voltage (like 12.8v above). Every single ground point on the entire bike should measure within .3v of this reading.
+When checking the voltage between the positive terminal of the battery and ANY GROUND POINT on the bike, you should have a voltage reading very close to the Reference Voltage (like 12.8v above). Every single ground point on the entire bike should measure within .3v of this reading (~2%).
 So, if you take the black lead to the other end of the negative battery cable, on the powertrain ground or engine, it should measure near the Reference Voltage. If you take the black lead to the ground pin on the headlight connector, it should measure near the Reference Voltage. If you take the black lead to the ground pin in the taillight connector, it should measure near the Reference Voltage. If you take the black lead to the cylinder heads (next to the spark plugs), the meter should read near the Reference Voltage.

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