pos and neg grounding

Rusty wheel · Jan 4, 2023

On a positive ground tractor, what affect would you get if you hooked the battery up backwards? Would
that have any effect on timing or firing or the intensity of the spark? Thank you much for your
replies.

Jim.ME · Jan 4, 2023

(quoted from post at 19:55:38 01/04/23) On a positive ground tractor, what affect would you get if you hooked the battery up backwards? Would
that have any effect on timing or firing or the intensity of the spark? Thank you much for your
replies.

No affect to timing, spark intensity might be a bit less as it is recommended the distributor side of the coil primary wiring match the battery ground. The largest effect would be on the charging system. A generator would need to be polarized for the changed ground. The voltage regulator should be ok, but some were marked as polarity sensitive. If by chance it has a positive ground alternator, it is very likely the magic smoke would escape if the ground was reversed. incandescent lights wouldn't care about a ground change. If it has LED lights, those are generally polarity specific, and the wires to the lights would need to be reversed, and possibly the lights would need to be changed.

Rich'sToys · Jan 4, 2023

Did you switch it by accident, or were you just planning to change it over?

Tx Jim · Jan 5, 2023

If battery polarity is changed one needs to change location (polarity) of both wires on ignition coil.

Hay maker2 · Jan 5, 2023

I have seen many 2-Cylinders that the polarity was backwards and it ran just fine. Even the amp gauge showed that there was a discharge as the polarity was backwards, it was actually charging.

John T · Jan 5, 2023

Basically if you install battery at NEG Ground (original was POS),,,,,,,,, Re polarize the genny BEFORE start up,,,,,,,,,,Swap coil wires,,,,,,,,,Swap ammeter leads (or it will read bass ackwards) you will be okay SUBJECT HOWEVER that some Voltage Regulators are polarity sensitive......

Been there done that numerous times when I was a used tractor dealer back in the day....

John T On Lake Istokpoga south of Sebring Florida

buickanddeere · Jan 5, 2023

On occasion the current surge will weld the cut out contacts together . For a brief moment the current through the generator goes high prior to the fields swapping polarity .
As previously stated . The ammeter will be backwards and spark voltage/energy slightly decreased .

Leroy · Jan 6, 2023

Don't know the facts but Henry Ford thought all engines ran better on positive ground That is why all his cars, trucks and tractor untill the 12 volt system was positive ground.

pos and neg grounding

Rusty wheel

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Jim.ME

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Rich'sToys

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Tx Jim

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Hay maker2

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John T

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buickanddeere

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Leroy

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