Positive Ground 35

[RobinKeeter]

Positive ground with an alternator 35 was dropped off at the shop. Is this a common configuration ? I've seen plenty neg ground with a dynamo/generator but none with an alternator. I've tinkered with a few of theses tractors in the past but all had either generators or alternator conversions and those were all 12 volt, neg ground.

 

[RobinKeeter]

That should read I've seen plenty positive ground with generator but none with an alternator

 

[J.Wondergem]

Is it possible that the alternator was, or is a positive ground?

 

[DavidP,South Wales]

Hi, in the UK all 35s were positive earth up to the end of production in
1964. The new 100 series came out with negative earth. Dyn/alt
conversions are not so common here and as far as I know all use
negative earth.
DavidP, South Wales

 

[RobinKeeter]

Thanks David,
I'll be back tracking the ownership to gain some insight. My experience is has been the same. I rarely see the dynamo / positive earth anymore. Almost all I find have been converted to alternator /neg grd. in my area.

 

[jvin248]

.

I have a 1955 TO-35 and it still has positive ground, never converted from 6v.
The tractor was used a lot on the family farm, probably the most used tractor on the farm.
Once I get the rest of the tractor working, I plan to switch it to negative ground 12v though.
Big project pulling apart the tractor to extract the gearbox first.

.

 

[Jim.ME]

There are 12 volt positive ground alternators available.

 

[old]

In the UK or England it was common to have a car etc. with + ground and an alternator. I had an Austin America that was + ground and had an alternator.

 

[RobinKeeter]

Never encountered one, tell me more. How would I identify +grd alt. ? Are there any markings I should be looking for?

 

[wore out]

A "new" alternator MAY have a meaningful part number on it, if it was a rebuilt and the paper tag has fallen off, probably not.

If you have an Ohmmeter with a "diode test" function, touch (+) probe to output stud and (-) probe to the case, if it shows conductivity that would indicate a (+) ground alternator (ASSUMING it is in functional condition and not shorted.

(Should show infinite resistance with the test leads swapped.)