Triumphrat

I accidentally hooked my battery up backwards, not knowing. I've been having trouble getting the bike to crank. Any idea what I might have damaged because of this? This was my Dad's bike; he knew the tricks to get it to crank. I don't know much about Triumphs(obviously). I'm not getting any fire to the points or spark plugs. I did wash the bike a few weeks ago. Could I have gotten something wet in addition to the backward battery problem? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.null

I accidentally hooked my battery up backwards, not knowing. I've been having trouble getting the bike to crank. Any idea what I might have damaged because of this? This was my Dad's bike; he knew the tricks to get it to crank. I don't know much about Triumphs(obviously). I'm not getting any fire to the points or spark plugs. I did wash the bike a few weeks ago. Could I have gotten something wet in addition to the backward battery problem? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.null

Doublespin

Hi Troy,
You may have damaged the zener diode and if you have boyer or similar electronic ignition there's a good chance that that will be damaged too. Did the fuse blow? and are the lights etc working.
If you have damaged the zener you may be putting your more sensitive components at risk if you start it as it is possible for the voltage to rise rapidly taking out the electronic ignition if you have it, plus the bulbs. A good battery will keep the volts regulated for a while but the battery will suffer in the end.
It is difficult to check that a zener is regulating unless you disconnect it and connect a variable voltage current regulated power supply to check that it kicks in. Not too many people will have access to one of those!
Good luck
Doublespin

Doublespin

Hi Troy,
You may have damaged the zener diode and if you have boyer or similar electronic ignition there's a good chance that that will be damaged too. Did the fuse blow? and are the lights etc working.
If you have damaged the zener you may be putting your more sensitive components at risk if you start it as it is possible for the voltage to rise rapidly taking out the electronic ignition if you have it, plus the bulbs. A good battery will keep the volts regulated for a while but the battery will suffer in the end.
It is difficult to check that a zener is regulating unless you disconnect it and connect a variable voltage current regulated power supply to check that it kicks in. Not too many people will have access to one of those!
Good luck
Doublespin

Hi Doublespin,
It keeps blowing the fuse. It has points so I'm guessing it doesn't have electronic ignition. Lights won't work; it's like it is not getting any juice past the battery. But the battery is new. I hooked a voltmeter to the zener and the rectifier. It was showing some amps on both of those. This bike should use a 12V battery right? My ammeter gauge on the headlight has 12 on it.

Thanks for advice.
Troy

Check your condensors.

rocket3sum

The battery should be wired positive to ground (earth) right?

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Doublespin

Hi,
If your zener has blown (Under the headlamp?) it will probably be short circuit. Disconnect the connection to the stud of the zener, replace the fuse and then try the lights while still disconnected. If they turn on the zener needs replacement. Replace the zener before starting unless you want to blow all of your bulbs and cook your battery.
If your fuse is blowing, you won't be able to read any voltage after the fuse. 99% probably short circuit zener!
12v should be ok for '69 and should be positive ground.
Good luck
Doublespin

Just another thought, If your rectifier is damaged this may also cause a short and therefore may need disconnecting in the event that there is still a drain. So if the above doesn't give any pointers disconnect the rectifier. This only affects the charging and everything else should work. If the rectifier/zener are wrecked it is probably worth fitting a power box or podtronic unit which effectively replaces both elements with modern components.

[ This message was edited by: Doublespin on 2005-01-20 07:13 ]

Hey,
Thanks for these suggestions. I'll try them and let you know what happens.
Troy