12 volt positive ground
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Trailering
Joined: May 2013
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12 volt positive ground
I just got a 51 F5. It has a 12 volt positive ground system. Has anybody converted their electronics to a neg ground and upgraded to an alternator? What all would be required to do this?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 230
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From: Round Rock, TX
My 54 showed up with a positive 12v ground. Just swap the battery cables to make it neg. ground, remove the voltage regulator, and bolt on your preferred alternator. Assuming there's nothing too different between the electrical on a F100 vs. F5.
I'm sure some of the smart guys will be along soon to provide some wisdom.
I'm sure some of the smart guys will be along soon to provide some wisdom.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 29
From: Richland, WA.
Bozwoth you are correct 56 was first truck year for 12v . It was neg ground. Our 54 and my 55 was 6v pos ground. We used 56 gauges in the 54 and the 55. I also got a turn signal unit for the 56 and put it in the 54.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 431
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From: Edenwold Saskatchewan
Thanks guys that's what I thought.I couldn't get the ol y in my 56 to run this week,I thought maybe this was part of problem.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Edenwold Saskatchewan
Use a 12v coil and made sure you are hot on the+ side of coil(from ignition).It will run but not very good.A coil needs to be run in the right direction to get full voltage.Your spark will break up at higher rpms.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
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From: W. Central FL.
In very basic terms, yes. Efficiency of the coil is better with the polarity correct. It will run either way if all else is right.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
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From: Brentwood, TN
Maybe I am wrong but I have never even heard of a 12 V positive ground system. I thought that all the pos grd systems were 6 V and that they all went to neg grd when they went to 12 V.
To the OP, if you ever plan on running anything in your truck that has a sold state circuit in it you better have it setup for negative ground. Transistors, diodes, etc do not like it when the polarity is reversed.
To the OP, if you ever plan on running anything in your truck that has a sold state circuit in it you better have it setup for negative ground. Transistors, diodes, etc do not like it when the polarity is reversed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,602
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[QUOTE=CharlieLed;13230320]Maybe I am wrong but I have never even heard of a 12 V positive ground system. I thought that all the pos grd systems were 6 V and that they all went to neg grd when they went to 12 V.
Nope, in the commercial world this can go back into the early 1940s,
12 Volt pos. ground, and I worked on plenty of them. When we converted
the 1953 F900 (into a dump truck) that was 12 vt pos gr with 100 amp
alternator no doubt the fire body co did that. Heres another kicker,
I have origional 1959 Mark IV Continental my father bought only couple
year old. Get this its got an 80 amp "Delco System", ant that is listed
in the parts books. Optional of course. Dont think Henry would like that.
So this did exist.
Nope, in the commercial world this can go back into the early 1940s,
12 Volt pos. ground, and I worked on plenty of them. When we converted
the 1953 F900 (into a dump truck) that was 12 vt pos gr with 100 amp
alternator no doubt the fire body co did that. Heres another kicker,
I have origional 1959 Mark IV Continental my father bought only couple
year old. Get this its got an 80 amp "Delco System", ant that is listed
in the parts books. Optional of course. Dont think Henry would like that.
So this did exist.