Removing Battery, which side first?

[Shane]

Just a simple question,

Does it matter which side of the battery I disconnect first?

I've had the negative off several times, as well as the positive for farkeling, but for total change-out of a dead bettery, which side gets disconnected first?

Also, which side gets re-connected back first?

I should know this............... :dribble:

Shane

 

[ionbeam]

Always the negative side first.

Metal tools have a tendency to be, ahem, conductive. If you are removing the positive post first and the tool accidentally touches the frame it will probably permanently arc weld itself to the frame. That surely won't do the battery any good either. :erm:

 

[madmike2]

And accidently touching the fork tube with a long 10mm wrench isn't good, either.

 

[Constant Mesh]

The ECU is isolated/disconnected from the battery when the key is switched off. The key switch interrupts power to everything except the multi-function LCD display and the windshield controller/motor. The clock and tripmeters in the LCD display require uninterrupted power. The windshield controller needs uninterrupted power so that the windshield can reset to the fully down position after the key is switched off.

 

[jestal]

Always the negative side first.
Metal tools have a tendency to be, ahem, conductive. If you are removing the positive post first and the tool accidentally touches the frame it will probably permanently arc weld itself to the frame. That surely won't do the battery any good either. :erm:

Just to clearify....

Always DISCONNECT the negative post FIRST.

Always CONNECT the negative post LAST.

Don't worry about the ECM. The folks that developed the bike/car/whatever understand that the battery will be run dead and disconnected occsionally. There is really very little chance of hurting it.

The only real concern is safety. You always undo the negative post first and hook it up last so that if a wrench slips and shorts between the battery post and ground nothing bad will happen. If you touch the postive post and ground accidentally with a wrench or screwdriver you will get an instant lesson in arc welding that may not be so pretty.

Another thing you want to do when disconnecting/connecting the battery is to take off your metal watch band and any rings. Similarily to the wrench description it is most unfortunate to be holding a wrench in your hand and have the backside of your finger/ring touch ground and short thru the ring or watchband. It can literally weld itself in place and procede to cook your finger.

 

[ionbeam]

take off your metal watch band and any rings.

I can't agree more. This is one of the best safety notes posted here. I have personally seen some grusome outcomes from not following that simple suggestion.