Rectifier ground

[Audioslave784]

I am in the process of re-assembling my GS after a few months of sitting stripped down to the frame and front end. This is the first time I've assembled a bike from such a state, and while I've finally got most of the electricals figured out, I cannot for the life of me see out where the rectifier grounds. It's a 1980 GL 850 and the rectifier mounts to the bottom of the battery box. The ground wire is only about 3 1/2 inches long, so there aren't too many options, but I just can't figure out where it went before.

I do plan to run a second ground to the battery, but I don't want the first ground to be less-than-ideal.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Grounds to the mounting bolt, another wire goes from the battery box to the frame

[Audioslave784]

So can I just run a ground from one of the battery box mounting screws to a screw on the frame? And - forgive my ignorance here - would bolts on the engine be a safe place to ground as well?

I just painted my frame and battery box. Is this going to cause grounding problems for any of the other components?

[Steve]

Clean the terminal on your R/R ground lug, put it to whatever ground point it will reach, whether it's the R/R mounting point, fuse panel mount, whatever. Run another wire from that same point straight to the battery negative terminal.

If you must mount to a painted surface, use "star" washers to dig through the paint and provide good contact.

.

[chef1366]

Chris Cornell??

[Redman]

Like others said (but I might add a detail or two):

- on 850s the R/R is mounted on bottom of battery box (at least certain years are). When reinstalling the R/R: If you have a hard time getting at the front mounting bolt (this is particarlly worse on 1100G): I found it easier to take the R/R and cut the front mounting hole into a slot to the front edge. That way can start the front screw/bolt without the R/R inplace and that give more room for your hand under there.

- and the R/R ground wire (black, with ring terminal) is grounded at a local stud on side of battery box. Usally the mounting point for the solenoid, the lower stud and nut.

- is also a blk/wht wire from the bikes main harness landed there also to provide a better ground to the battery box becuase battery box itself may not be well grounded thru its mounting.

- that blk/wht wire is often subject to problems. So that is why folk recomend adding your own ground wire directly from that same point to the batt-.

- so yes, find that blk/wht wire. Clean off that mounting stud and area underneath of paint. Put your R/R black wire to that same point. And as extra precaution: add your own ground wire from there to battery neg.

- I think the R/R and the starter solenoid are the only things that are grounded to/thru the battery box. All the other devices mounted nearby have thier own ground wire in thier connectors from the main harness. (somebody tell us if otherwize)

- and about grounds: is also a heavyer ground cable to back of engine crankcase which is hard to get at. THis ground is important for the starter motor and for the spark plugs. If you have carbs off or battery box out it is then easier to access and would be a good time to clean that ground connection also.


.

[Audioslave784]

Thanks guys, Redman especially that was just what I needed. I'm thinking now I might just bypass the battery box and wire the grounds from the solenoid, RR, and wiring harness together at a single point. From there I'll run one ground to the frame and a redundant one to the engine via some gold plated ring connectors.

(Yep chef, it's Chris.... but shhhhh I've been trying to keep a low profile...)

[kingofvenus]

Chris Cornell??

Soundgarden is getting back together for a tour.

[posplayr]

Thanks guys, Redman especially that was just what I needed. I'm thinking now I might just bypass the battery box and wire the grounds from the solenoid, RR, and wiring harness together at a single point. From there I'll run one ground to the frame and a redundant one to the engine via some gold plated ring connectors.

(Yep chef, it's Chris.... but shhhhh I've been trying to keep a low profile...)

That sounds good except the connection from R/R (-) to battery (-) should be direct. The single point is best done right at the R/R to keep the wires short from the mount to the R/R (-)

Also see:
GS CHARGING_SYSTEM_HEALTH

[chef1366]

Soundgarden is getting back together for a tour.

What about Rage?
Those guys blew me away when they came out.