Battery reconnect sparks
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Battery reconnect sparks
Pulled battery to measure i9t for replacement and on reconnecting it I get big sparks when i try to screw wires to battery. 2006 xl1200 sportster without alarm I think and keys not in switch on all . I do not see any possible wire shorts on wires going to battery. Are sparks normal?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25,049
Likes: 19,455
From: New York
As long as you connect the (+) first then the (-), you are fine. I always get a small spark when connecting the (-).
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Connecting battery
Which wire gets connected first doesn't matter as long as you don't touch the frame or some other metal part with the positive lead or screwdriver once you get the negative hooked up. It is a good rule of thumb to connect the positive first, but that doesn't seem to be what the OP is worried about.
If you are concerned about it, hook one of the cables up to the battery and then use a multi-meter set up to read milliamps and connect between the wire that isn't hooked up and the battery terminal that isn't hooked up.
I'm not sure if it is the security, but I know it's usual for mine to get sparks when connecting the battery. The amperage is what will tell you if you have an issue or not. Any reading over about 5 or 10 milliamps would concern me, but if you have a real problem, it will probably read 500 milliamps or more.
If you are concerned about it, hook one of the cables up to the battery and then use a multi-meter set up to read milliamps and connect between the wire that isn't hooked up and the battery terminal that isn't hooked up.
I'm not sure if it is the security, but I know it's usual for mine to get sparks when connecting the battery. The amperage is what will tell you if you have an issue or not. Any reading over about 5 or 10 milliamps would concern me, but if you have a real problem, it will probably read 500 milliamps or more.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
It's normal to get a few sparks, when connecting the battery. It's hard to judge exactly how much. All of the wiring that is in the circuit has both inductance and capacitance. So in essence when you connect the battery you "charge" the system via a very short duration current draw,mad you are completing the circuit when you connect the battery. If you are not getting much of a parasitic draw, via the previously mentioned measurement, and you gave no other symptoms like the battery running down, then you should be ok.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks guyslet you know what I find
I'm going to check with ammeter. Will get back toyou with results shortly Thanks
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Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Changed out battery today on the RGU, pulled the main fuse and disconnected the negative first. Installation, neg. first then positive and the main fuse. No sparks.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 713
Likes: 235
From: Florida
Always connect the positive wire first.
Why? once you connect the negative wire you have established ground from the bike frame to the battery ground. If you then attach the positive lead and you accidentally touch the frame with your wrench you complete the + to - circuit on the battery shorting it out. Lots of sparks and maybe burnt tool or frame member or worse a damaged battery if you can not remedy the situation quickly.
Why? once you connect the negative wire you have established ground from the bike frame to the battery ground. If you then attach the positive lead and you accidentally touch the frame with your wrench you complete the + to - circuit on the battery shorting it out. Lots of sparks and maybe burnt tool or frame member or worse a damaged battery if you can not remedy the situation quickly.
