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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Positive versus Negative Ground

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Orphan_tractor

06-30-2004 17:15:50




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I just found out that my 1948 Silver King should be wired with a positive ground. However, I have been running it with a negative ground since this is how I received it and did not know any better. Could this have caused any damage? The generator hasn't worked very well if at all since I received it. Could this be why? Any help is appreciated.




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orphan_tractor

07-01-2004 17:24:07




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 Re: Positive versus Negative Ground in reply to Orphan_tractor, 06-30-2004 17:15:50  
Thanks for the responses. After rewiring with the positive ground, I checked the starter and it still works fine. I tore the generator apart since my rebuild kit came in and I changed the brushes, bearing, and bushing. I also found a melted wire in the voltage cut out relay and repaired that. The relay now tests okay and does cut out at the proper voltage (about 7.5). However, how do I repolarize the generator? I have two terminals on it and one is labeled "F" and the other is not labeled. Any help is appreciated.

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bud sather

07-01-2004 12:01:12




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 Re: Positive versus Negative Ground in reply to Orphan_tractor, 06-30-2004 17:15:50  
Same thing happened to me with an M john deere. Never did run like it was supposed to even after changing points, plugs, rotor, dist. cap, condensor and plugs. It fouled the plug after several hours of work. Mine runs a lot better with positive ground and it hasn't fouled a plug since.
Bud



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paul

07-01-2004 06:41:44




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 Re: Positive versus Negative Ground in reply to Orphan_tractor, 06-30-2004 17:15:50  
I'm a purist & prefer things the way they came with the tractor. Then anyone can work on it.

It is possible it all was changed around by some prvious owner. Or in other words, who knows which way it is set up now?

--->Paul



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Bigdog

06-30-2004 19:06:05




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 Re: Positive versus Negative Ground in reply to Orphan_tractor, 06-30-2004 17:15:50  
It won't hurt anything and it may have been changed by a previous owner. If you want to change it back, be sure to re-polarize the generator. You may have to reverse the wires in the ammeter if they were changed previously.



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txblu

07-01-2004 06:26:13




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 Re: Re: Positive versus Negative Ground in reply to Bigdog, 06-30-2004 19:06:05  
The voltage regulator has a quirk also. I remember seeing some marked as to the polarity of ground (i.e. pos gnd, neg gnd). Probably the solenoids in there, that operate the points that regulate the voltage and current from the generator, are direction sensitive. If current goes in, sole goes up. If current goes out, sole could go down. Polarity determines direction of plunger. Dunno, never had one open and watched the contacts with opposite polarity voltage applied.

Mark

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Jon H

07-01-2004 11:31:06




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 Re: Re: Re: Positive versus Negative Ground in reply to txblu, 07-01-2004 06:26:13  
I remember reading that ignition points and regulator contacts were sometimes made of different materials to make less metal transfer from contact to contact with a certain polarity.
In reality I don't know if it made much difference,or if this is still being done.

The generator and regulator does not care what polarity it is charging as long as you polorize it. I doubt any generator/regulator problems are the result of a polarity change.

I suspect you are less likley to connectjumper cables or a battery charger incorrectly with neg ground, with 99% of equipment built in the last 30 years being neg ground.

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