The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical => Topic started by: Howard on 14.11. 2011 20:44

Title: Is the headlight switch earthed
Post by: Howard on 14.11. 2011 20:44

Hi All, should the headlight switch itself be earthed ?

Title: Re: Is the headlight switch earthed
Post by: trevinoz on 14.11. 2011 21:04

NO.

 Trev.

Title: Re: Is the headlight switch earthed
Post by: duTch on 17.11. 2011 08:46

Yup- What Trev said, but to extrapolate a bit, I'm not a 'lectrician, but reckon I'm smart enough to suggest that a switch controls whether power flows from point 'A' to point 'B',(and continues to point 'A' with loss in between-kind of like a circuit),or not. Please correct me if I'm wrong? cheers duTch *beer*

Title: Re: Is the headlight switch earthed
Post by: bsa-bill on 17.11. 2011 10:30

Hi Howard - no need to earth the switch but always a good idea to run an earth from the headlamp (shell or sometimes the bulb holder will have provision for an earth) to a point on the frame, if possible right back to where the battery is earthed to the frame.
The original wiring lets the current fight it's way back to earth through the grease and balls of the head bearings, it works but is hardly ideal.

Title: Re: Is the headlight switch earthed
Post by: Howard on 20.11. 2011 19:17

Thanks BSA-Bill, I fitted a new loom, all hooked up correctly however due the the thickness of the powder coat I could not get it to earth. So I did as you suggested and run an earth wire back to the battery, now every thing works as it should.