About that power wart on the R side

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I've tried to make use of the power plug but its rather poor location and handling and the males are hard to find and must be added to what ever, so wondering what was Norton thinking? Did other cycles have similar? Does any one know of any one that used as advertised at camp outs? Does anyone make use of it otherwise? Did all years have them? Do many remain on barn finds? What do most do with it when opportunity occurs?

About that power wart on the R side


About that power wart on the R side
 
I used to use mine for a battery charger. I don't see a need to do anything with it except leave it there. :D
 
Charger makes good sense unless missing the plug. Plug is poloarized-sized to keep battery-fuse safe. Adding a Lucus plug to charger makes it less handy for other vehciles. My side covers have been easy to operate to get to battery on Cdo's and I put lead on + terminal of my SV for easy clip on charger. I don't like the looks either with or w/o the plug inserted. When I was trying to get some use of it I tired to make my own plug prongs with nails but didn't work well so gave up.
 
Isn't that the power take off for a the whole house generator function?
Although we haven't lost power here in years, it's nice to know it's there.
 
Hobot, I think they were there on all Commandos, but don't know that for a fact.

Believe Land Rover used to use the same connectors.

I have some old heated gloves and heated vest that use that style connector.

The problem is that over the years there have been so many plug types:
- Lucas = old 60's-70's bikes and gear
- SAE = H-D, etc
- Powerlet (DIN) = BMW, etc
- Coax = Gerbings, etc
- Cigarette lighter sockets = completely unsuitable for motorcycles (vibration/moisture/compatibility/etc)
I have items that run off each of the above.

Personally, I've been thinking of switching the Norton over to either a Powerlet connector (best connector for motorcycles - IMO) http://www.powerlet.com/
About that power wart on the R side

My 2004 R1150RT comes standard with two and they are waterproof, vibration-proof, and very useful.


or scrapping it and just running an SAE style connector in it's place (very universal)
About that power wart on the R side

I've wired my 1974 R90S with these for charging and running accessories, charging phone, etc.
About that power wart on the R side


I use a BMW Battery charger that is good for FLA, GEL and AGM batteries. It has a proper indefinite maintenance with automatic switching to the charge cycle and back. It is built by Deltran (Battery Tender) and they have verified to me that it is also okay to be used for charging their LiFePO4 batteries.

It comes with the charging cable as an SAE termination, but also includes an SAE to DIN (Powerlet) cable/adapter and an SAE to battery post cable, plus an SAE to jumper-cable adapter. Over the winter last year I had three vehicles in the garage that I maintained the batteries on by simply going out once a week and pulling the charger lead (SAE connector on the charger) and pluging it into one of the other two vehicles. This rotation kept all three in top condition and required virtually no work on my part.
About that power wart on the R side

$69 at MAX BMW https://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/PartsDetails.aspx?source=&diagram=ST_BATTERYCHARGER

I've looked a little but not found an adapter to go from the Lucas female to an SAE or female Coax, or female DIN. That is why I figure I'll replace it or simply leave it and put a Powerlet or SAE on the opposite side. My feeling is that the left side is far less problematic to have something connected there than on the right side where the kick-starter level and one's boot might catch or snag the cable.
 
Apprectiate the practical insighst alan and pete, The trailer hitch type two prong battery seems most robust compact and Peel may run digital items so glad to learn off the shelf USB's available. If small 12v compressors were available in Cdo era that'd be very practical accessory for others than just youself. Wonder how much it counts or not on a concours nit pic scoring. Gives me a silly warm feeling to imagine a rally waking up to handfulls of Commando on hi idle a few min while poweingr toiletere appliances to be presentable and getting engine ready to go too. That'd sound like heaven to me.

Was Kookie a rocker or a mod?
About that power wart on the R side
 
I left mine on the Roadster, changed out the rusty screws for SS self tappers, also a quick way to test your battery wityh a DMM with out taking the seat off or the LHS side cover! Not a wart in my books
There are plenty of single pin electrical connectors available that fit the holes to be crimped onto a twin wire cable if you need a 12 V DC supply to run your house, other bike or personal health items!!!
Regards Mike
 
The entire plug assembly is on offer at AN:
NORTON 850 - 1974

Item: ACC.PLUG & SOCKET
Part Number: 062666
Price: £21.03

Not cheap.

If you are using it for heated vest gloves or handgrips you would
probably consider a beefed up three phase alternator set up.
 
I've only ever used that socket to connect a battery charger. I use a suitably sized split-pin in there and connect the croc clip to that, the other crock clip goes on any convenient metal part, eg one of the Z plate fixing bolts.
 
AlanColes said:
Believe Land Rover used to use the same connectors.
.

i had few old Land Rovers they had two separate female pin sockets on the dashboard that where red an black and one was larger than other so the plug only fitted one way. I had an old style inspection light that plugged in for emergencies or camping. Of course if the emergency was a flat battery then you that to be able to fix it by feel :lol:
 
I was told by a old English gentleman that rode Nortons that the plug was used for heated longjohns for the colder months, I was told this about 30 years ago, we don't need heated underwear in our winters here, but I do have a pair of flannel longjohns if it gets that cold to need them.

Ashley
 
Walridge sells the male plugs. I think they were on sale last year’s winter sale. Hobot you could go to NAPA or Radio Shack and get cigarette lighter adapters. Just keep the Lucas plug with the adapters with your Norton. That is when you get it running. :mrgreen:
Make sure you get the polarity correct or sparks will fly. It’s a good idea to fuse the adapter.
Cheer,
Thomas
CNN
 
Heated long johns 30-40 yrs ago, hmm. Tried to preservre Peel's for a time but scrapped it and battery box on final project. Trixie's loom was-is a mess and plug not functional so removed it after deer strike. I sold Peel's cheap to a needy restorer. I'm happy to know some are still making use of its quiantance but its still a style wart ya can't hardly polish or cover up. Peel will have a lot of plugs of various sorts some of them adapted from the pin into a tube off medical electrodes. As I remember it after a time vibes made Peels plug get loose so worked out by cord flapping. The more I think about the more appealing small household wire nuts are. The thing that stops my mind on Commando power plug is advertising implying non running use on supplied size battery. Would be fun for a rally contest to see how long you think you could run a razaor and still start.
 
I am amused by the use of this socket to charge the battery. All apprentices were advised never to charge a battery, on a vehicle with an alternator, with out disconnecting the battery terminal.
Dereck
 
kerinorton said:
I am amused by the use of this socket to charge the battery. All apprentices were advised never to charge a battery, on a vehicle with an alternator, with out disconnecting the battery terminal.
Dereck

Why is that (answer in laymans terms only please)?

And ow does that apply / balance with the modern day practice of plugging in an Optimate for long periods?
 
there you go. Remove the fuse and it disconnects the battery from the alternator.
Its the rectifier that can fry. That thingy [ regulator if you must ] behind the battery. Most alternators have there rectifier's built in. Most cars have secrets you need to disconnect from the battery, so you are best to disconnect the battery from the car before charging. And don't jump start a car from another one without using special jump leads that prevent back EMF's etc. You could blow your computer, then the shit will hit the fan.

Dereck

PS I never fried a rectifier, so it was a case of believing what the boss or polytech instructor told you. No questions [ actually they did explain what would happen but too involved to bother remembering for now.] I just use the KISS principle.
 
I have a separate fuse from the charging system to the battery on mine which I added. This is the one I pull.

You are right that on a stock bike the charging system is always connected to that power connector. I never blew anything up though in 42 years and I did do some stupid things at times with battery chargers. :D
 
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