how do I use a battery tube?

[jonjon]

Just bought a 1940s BF Goodrich with this on it. It is my first time witha battery tube. It holds 6 batteries. Thepoints are clean enough to make a connection. There Iis only 1 wire coming off of the light and 1 place to plug it in to the tube. Do all of the batteries need to be facing the same direction? The filament in the light looks good. How do I make this work?
http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg500/joncuisine/Mobile Uploads/1426028578099_zpsibp9kck5.jpg

 

[RustySprockets]

If I'm viewing this correctly, all batteries should face with the positive forward, which will make the binding post at the center of the lid positive. Ground is expected to flow through the metal of the bike frame itself, eliminating the need for a second wire. Load it with batteries, attach the wire to the binding post, hold the body of the tube against the lamp's mounting bracket, and throw the switch--it should light up.