Powerlet steering stem socket ground wire woes

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by tyarosevich, Jul 8, 2013.

  1. tyarosevich

    tyarosevich New Member

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    So, I recently installed a powerlet steering stem socket and am not getting any juice from it when I plug my phone in via a usb adapter. I actually played Surgeon and checked it with a multimeter and wasn't getting any current, so I assume it is a faulty ground. Now, this kit's wiring harness had the ground wire line wayyyyyyy too far up toward the socket end. This meant that it was physically impossible to get the ground wire to the bolt they suggested (nothing ever seems to be made quite correctly does it?). The only bolt I could really find to run it to was the one holding a bracket in place just at the edge of the fuel tank. This bracket just holds a fairing screw and wiring harness guide clip in place but it does seem to go right into the frame.

    Any thoughts? Should I just pull that ground wire and extend it all the way over to the negative post on the battery? I've read about a "single ground point" on modern bikes. Does a VFR have one of those? Should I extend the ground wire to that?

    Thanks in advance.
     


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  2. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    I could not find any earth on the frame so I end up getting a fuse block all my accessories wire to the fuse block. In your case best just extend the ground to the battery or grind a spot on the frame to get ground.
     


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  3. tyarosevich

    tyarosevich New Member

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    Pursuant to the above problem, does anyone know where the single ground point is on the gen 6? I know I could run the ground wire all the way back to the battery, but I've read that this can lead to problems with charge trickle and can discharge the battery. Some stuff I've read recommends grounding everything on this so-called 'single ground point' but I can't find anything about it in the service manual. Someone that knows more than me wanna chime in?
     


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  4. MrSleep

    MrSleep New Member

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    Just run it to the battery negative and be done with it. I have never had a problem with mine that way. When/if I add more accessories then I will run a wire from the battery neg to a common grounding point for the accessories. Same with the positive but thru a fuse block.
     


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