Battery jump start and earthing

Negative to Negative. Positive to Positive, but do not let the car contact the Commando. It is metal to metal that would cause the fun!! I do not think it necessary for the car engine to be running.

I have no idea what the 'blue oval' is though.

If this bike has been laid up for a few years this is what I would do. Empty the sump, pour the oil back into the oil tank or perhaps new oil. Charge the bike battery with a traditional battery charger. If this job is done shortly then of course the 'warm' weather will help. How about a couple nice new spark plugs? Just in case we have goop on the old ones. Any other ideas from anyone? Perhaps a short term diet of dumplings and Guiness?

In fact see Gordon Johnson on +ve to_ve...

Car electrical experts say that when jump starting, you should not have the donor car's engine running. It can damage the charging system. A motor bike engine won't challenge the car's battery. Make sure you use solid jumper leads, +ve to +ver, -ve to -ve

Paul

I've always had the donor engine running with no ill effects but my vehicles tend to be on the well used side so don't have fancy electrics. Certainly when I was an AA patrol in the 1970s that was the drill.

Ditto, I always run the engine, gets the volts up!

Unless you have an electric start Commando the current draw will be so low it won't make any difference if the donor has the engine running or not.

Ian

Previously stuart_shelton wrote:

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I will take them on board (maybe not the dumplings and Guinness suggestion!)

The "Blueoval" isfittedwithgoodiedfrom TheBosch company andsomein housespecials used in Volvo, Jaguar and Landrover products.