aux plug

[steven m]

Hooking up the factory aux plug that came with my 83 R65 and wondering how to tell which lead is positive and which is negative.  Both leads are black as they come out of the sheath.  Does it matter?  

Steve

[Bob_Roller]

It does matter .

The wire that goes to the center contact of the plug is the positive one .

If you have a multi meter, put an ohm meter lead on the center contact, and then the other lead at the other end of the wire harness, and see which wire gives you continuity, place that wire on the positive terminal of the battery .

[bruce_launceston]

If it is a 'factory' setup the positive wire should have an in-line fuse holder in it.

[steven m]

THANKS!  Sliding the outer sheath reveals a red wire with an inline fuse, which I think should be the hot positive as well as a brown wire, which is the standard BMW ground color.  Just hooked it up.  Will check with a multimeter.

Steve

[Aristotle]

why does BMW use a brown colored sheath conductor for a ground??

It is normal practice for grounds to be green or green with yellow stripes??
I know this for a fact as I'm an electrician by trade.

but I do wonder why BMW designs ground to be brown rather than the standard colors normally used.

[montmil]

why does BMW use a brown colored sheath conductor for a ground??

It is normal practice for grounds to be green or green with yellow stripes??
I know this for a fact as I'm an electrician by trade.

but I do wonder why BMW designs ground to be brown rather than the standard colors normally used.

It's pretty much a European -or is it just German?- automotive/motorcycle standard. My Mk1 VW Cabriolet and my 60's era Porsche are/were full of 'em. Both the R65s are brown=earth.

I remember it as Brown-Earth-Ground-Dirt

Monte