Positive Ground

[Rich Blohm]

I recently picked up a Ford Jubilee. I would like to re-do the wiring. It has a 12v battery,what appears to be a 12v generator(has fan),12v coil with resistor,12v voltage regulator. My question is should it be positive ground and what component decides this. Thanks, Rich

 

[El Toro]

If it's negative grounded as most 12 volts vehicles are with gasoline engines, the wire from the negative terminal on the coil should go to the distributor. Hal
PS: If by chance it's positive grounded the wire from the plus terminal on the coil to the distributor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The battery connections determine the polarity. The generator has to be flashed to set its polarity to the battery and the coil should be connected with the same polarity as the battery for the best ignition. And the ammeter polarity has to match the battery to get a proper charge/discharge indication.

A generator tends to be longer that it is in diameter while an alternator tends to be fatter than long, both have a fan at the pulley.

Gerald J.

 

[Walt Davies]

If you can't tell the difference between an alternator and generator then I would leave it alone as long as its working OK.

Walt

 

[Anonymous-0]

If it is a 12 volt generator and it charges like it should, I would leave it alone. Check to see which post is hooked up to the ground and make sure that the coil is hooked up the right way for the polarity. If it is positive ground and you want to change it, turn the battery around rehook the cables and re polarize it. Also change the wiring on the coil. It's very simple to do. If you would have an alt. that would have to be neg ground.

 

[Anonymous-0]

lots of people are trying to become electrically knowledgeable "overnight", but it can"t be done. Like any other profession or technical skill, you have to "pay your dues" and put in your time learning. If you don"t know what you"re doing take it to a shop that does know.

 

[ScottyHOMeY]

Easy there, Walt.

He might be a newbie to the whole thing, and the best answer might even be to leave it alone until he learns more, but he had an honest question that deserved an answer, without the put-down.

 

[Ken Crisman]

I agree Scotty . Some of us guys have to learn on our own trial & error; or ask questions . While some of those guys must've been born lucky knowing everything without having to ask for any help . To the guy who asked the question , get yourself an owners manual & an IT repair manual for that tractor & read it . If the charging system is working ok , I'd let it be . But myself I prefer originality (which would be 6 volt . Njoy your new tractor . Ya can't beat the old Fords . God bless, Ken

 

[Bob]

You posted "If you would have an alt. that would have to be neg ground."

That's potentially BAD information that could lead to the untimely discharge of smoke from an electrical device.

There's (+) ground alternators out "in the field" in MANY "flavors" 6-Volt, 12-Volt, 24-Volt, etc.

NOT common, but available, and used from time to time in conversions, or OEM.

 

[MurrayE]

To the person that is identified by hmmmmm and does not sign their name, your sarcastic answer is not appreciated by most who participate on this board. If in a bad mood, don't bother to answer. cheers, Murray

 

[jim johnson]

Your right man, this site is for kids and idiots. Right.

Oh I"m sorry that would include you wouldn"t it.

 

[ScottyHOMeY]

First step in learning is to learn to ask questions.

First step in learning to teach is to learn not to take off the top of the head of the one asking the question.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sorry I gave the wrong answer. Been working on equip for well over thirty years but, never ran into a positive ground alt. Guess ya never quit learning.

 

[Hoosier Pete]

Need to ask a couple ?'s first. Why do you want to re-do the wiring? Positive or negative ground doesn't make a difference unless you are talking about putting back to original. And about coil polarity, I've never noticed a difference unless you see it on a scope pattern. Like others, if it's working good I'd just enjoy it.

 

[steveormary]

Some shops may not be able to work on it either
Lack of proper training. If I was working on something there were alot of times I was wishing some one else was doing the work. But if I have the work done by a shop I usually am thinking I could have done that my self.

steveormary

 

[Rich Blohm]

Man, What did I do! I"ve restored the tractor completely,it came to me with what appears to be a 12v GENERATOR, I say appears because a friend of mine says that most 12v GENERATORS come with a fan mounted on the front, which this has.I own 5 other Ford tractors 3,n"s and 2 jubilees, none of thier GENERATORS have a fan, yes, I know I can spin it on my bench and tell. I thought it was kind of neat, it looked almost original, I want to use it. The wireing on the tractor was shot prior to restoration, I understand how to wire the tractor, I have the books and prints, I didn"t understand polarity and how it applied to a GENERATOR or to a 12v system. Thus my question. I"m not trying to become an expert,nor am I trying to short cut into anyones field of expertise. I asked my first and last question on this forum, because I respect YOUR expertise. Sorry, I meant no one disrespect. Rich

 

[ScottyHOMeY]

Rich, I don't live here, I only check in periodically. I've got no standing to apologize for others, but I'm really sorry about the rough treatment your question got here.

 

[Walt Davies]

Rich sorry if I upset you but in the past I have had to repair a lot of things that someone redid without the knowledge of how to do it.
Your state that you did not know whether you had a Gen. or an alt. Simply said to me this guy is really new to this stuff.
I know we can spend all day teaching you the difference and how they both work but it would be better if would get book on basic automotive electrical systems to study then you could ask better question that would be easier to answer without writing an entire book for you.
Go to Amazon.com and see what they have I have found a lot of good books there. Remember its the Basics that you want you need that to understand the manuals as you read them they are written for people with a working knowledge of systems for each part of the tractor not for the beginner to try to teach himself how to be a mechanic. By the way automotive electrical is a job all to its self. Many good mechanics have trouble understanding it if they have not been trained.
Anyway i'm sorry that I upset you so please stay around and learn as we go though this for you. And like i said get a beginners book so that you understand the basics.
Walt 40 years mechanic and by know means an expert. I still use all my manuals and books to look things up to make sure I'm doing things correctly. Any mechanic who thinks he doesn't need the manual is not one that I would hire to work for me or on my stuff.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I agree with Walt 100% on this....

 

[Anonymous-0]

Look ar the regulator sometimes on the bottom it will say which ground is needed. There should be something like a part# to tell also. Lots of those generators were pos ground because of the regulators the genny dont care but the regulator sure does which ground is used.

 

[buickanddeere]

+ chassis alternator do exist in North America but usually on imported diesel vehicles.

 

[Don-Wi]

Don't worry about Mr. Crabby Pants... Some people just have to cut others down.

If I remember right, this is the same guy that makes pretty harsh cuts and put downs on Lanse as well.

Donovan from Wisconsin