Electrical Question . . . . . .

[FarmallAK]

I took the bad battery out of my 1940 Farmall H, without noting whether it was hooked up to positive ground or negative ground. The tractor has been converted (not by me) to twelve volt system. Is there a way I can tell which way to hookup the new battery without damaging anything?
I am not very knowledgeable with things electrical. Can anybody help an electrical dummy? I just don't have a clue about how to tell which way to hook the new battery up. Thanks so much for any and all help.

 

[Red Mist]

For the lack of any other method, you should be able to trial fit the cables - one at the time - back onto the battery. Since the positive post is larger than the negative post, the fitment of the two cables ought to give you a clue, unless you have mutilated them during disassembly. mike

 

[IaGary]

One way toget it, is the positive post is just a bit larger than the neg post.So the big end cable goes on the big post.

If you didn't distort your ends to much you can tell that way.

Another way is the post are set off to one side of the battery. Try to remember which side of the box they were on when you removed the battery. Then see how the cables best reach. Most times the ground will not reach to the other post.

I'm sure there's a technical way to tell also, but I don't know it.~})

Gary

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hi, If it has a 12 volt alternator then it would have been changed to a negative ground. That would be the most likely, but if someone put a 12 volt generator on it, more than likely it would be positive ground. An alternator will be almost ball shaped with an alluminum finish. A generator will have a cylinder like shape with a painted steel finish. Also look at your battery cable ends, one should have a larger hole than the other, just like the positive post on the battery is larger than the negative. Good luck, Chuck

 

[IaGary]

You must type faster than me City Boy.

No one had answered yet when I did.

But were thinking alike.

Gary

 

[Anonymous-0]

You are both faster than I, Chuck

 

[Red Mist]

That's funny. But, we are all three trying to help and having a good time in the process. mike

 

[Anonymous-0]

Its way past bed time though, it took me three tries to answer one question on the M below, Good night, Chuck

 

[FarmallAK]

Thank you so much! I have the new battery installed and it is negative ground. I started it up and it is charging just fine, so I feel sure it is ok. You guys are great and I sure do appreciate the help! I'm restoring a 51 H now and have all the wires stripped off it. I'm sure y'all will be hearing from me again! Sure wish I understood electricity and how it works.