Harley Davidson Forums

Loading


Hello

Guest

Welcome to the harley davidson forum. Join our discussion today for FREE!

CREATE ACCOUNT

Membership Benefits

Get your questions answered by harley davidson community gurus and industry experts. Exchange your experience with another members. Access full features forum. Get a members discounts for your harley parts & accessories.

Which side of coil is positive?

Electrical

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old May 12th, 2010, 01:24 PM     #1
Warming The Wheels
Ride: 96 Custom Softail Chopper
 
fpd4308's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 11th, 2010
Posts: 74
My Mood: My Mood
fpd4308 is an unknown quantity at this point
Which side of coil is positive?

I was wondering which side of the stock harley coil is positive as neither post is marked. I have heard that as long as you put all the positive wires on one post and the grounds on the other it doesnt matter but wanted to check with the experts.

Thanks
fpd4308 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 12th, 2010, 01:54 PM     #2
Contributor$
Ride: FLHR 09
 
BUBBIE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 15th, 2008
Location: AZ, S.East corner/Western WA.
Posts: 3,988
My Mood: My Mood
BUBBIE will become famous soon enoughBUBBIE will become famous soon enough
Re: Which side of coil is positive?

Quote: Originally Posted by fpd4308 View Post
I was wondering which side of the stock harley coil is positive as neither post is marked. I have heard that as long as you put all the positive wires on one post and the grounds on the other it doesnt matter but wanted to check with the experts.

Thanks
If post are color like gold copper brass = positive... While silver is usually negative..

Signed....BUBBIE
BUBBIE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 12th, 2010, 02:35 PM     #3
Contributor$
Ride: 2009 Dyna Low
 
Hoople's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009
Posts: 7,001
Hoople will become famous soon enoughHoople will become famous soon enough
Re: Which side of coil is positive?

It does make a difference. Reversing the polarity on the primary side changes whether the spark will jump from the shell electrode to the center post tip or from the center post tip to the shell electrode. It is always preferred to have the spark jump from the hotter electrode to the colder hence center to shell.

Reversing the polarity will not prevent the bike from running. It will just require more ionization voltage to jump the gap.
Hoople is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 12th, 2010, 02:39 PM     #4
Frozen Account
Ride: 07 Road King
 
Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007
Posts: 25,999
My Mood: My Mood
glider is on a distinguished road
Re: Which side of coil is positive?

You can check the polarization of the spark by using a lead pencil point inserted between the plug wire brass and the spark plug tip. See which way the spark arks. If it arks to the plug you are wired correctly.
glider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 12th, 2010, 02:42 PM     #5
Community Star
Ride: 2006 FXDBI Steet Bob
 
Safehaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 10th, 2009
Location: Belgium
Posts: 355
My Mood: My Mood
Safehaven is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Which side of coil is positive?

Hoople already gave the answer that the polarity of the coil will direct which direction the plasma arc will be initiated from (cathode or anode). Since the center pin will generally run a bit hotter, it will be a bit easier to initiate the spark, but your bike will run either way. The difference is marginal..
Safehaven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 12th, 2010, 03:27 PM     #6
Banned
Ride: 2009 flhtcui
 
Join Date: Oct 8th, 2009
Location: south bend indiana USA
Posts: 1,519
My Mood: My Mood
ultrat is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Which side of coil is positive?

I must be dense,, i read Gliders post several times,, then i got it...
ultrat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 12th, 2010, 03:51 PM     #7
Warming The Wheels
Ride: 96 Custom Softail Chopper
 
fpd4308's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 11th, 2010
Posts: 74
My Mood: My Mood
fpd4308 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Which side of coil is positive?

Awesome..thank you all for the help.
fpd4308 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Positive criticism only, please nfbmp Touring Models 52 Mar 6th, 2011 08:11 AM
positive battery cable problem jerryw618 Sportster Models 6 Sep 4th, 2010 08:21 AM
Positive psycological effects of riding? Rabid Ranger General Harley Davidson Topic 22 Sep 17th, 2009 04:33 PM
07 recall on positive bat cable and ?..help BUBBIE Softail Models 2 Aug 1st, 2009 04:29 PM
Battery Positive Voltage trouble code? kennewman Touring Models 4 Jul 7th, 2008 07:28 AM