naive reverse polarization question
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 956
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From: Bend, Oregon
naive reverse polarization question
Okey, I'm sure I've heard it a hundred times on this site...But need to be enlightened again. On my '54 i'm switching to 12v. How do i know if I need to switch the positive and negitive grounds to reverse the polarization?
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
If you are converting to 12 Volt it has to be negative ground (and you will need to go negative ground because that's what 12 volt components are set up for - like your generator/alternator, etc).
You will hook the ground cable coming from the negative battery terminal to the engine - usually on one of the bell housing bolts. Then you also need to run a grounding strap from the engine to the frame. I just used another battery cable but looped on both ends. I also prefer to run a braded grounding strap from either engine or frame to the cab firewall - just to make sure it has a good ground as well.
You will run your positive battery cable to the battery post of the starter solenoid, then distribute power from there to your ignition switch. The charging wire from your generator will eventually end up there as well (it makes a few stops along the way through the battery gauge then to your circuit breakers/fuse boxes - whatever you are using).
You had to install a new 12 vot generator with this set up so be sure to polarize it by disconnecting the "Field" ("F") lead from the regulator and momentarily touching it to the "Battery" ("B") post of the regulator - then reconnect it to it's correct post. If you installed an alternator - no need to do this ( as a matter of fact DON'T do it).
You will hook the ground cable coming from the negative battery terminal to the engine - usually on one of the bell housing bolts. Then you also need to run a grounding strap from the engine to the frame. I just used another battery cable but looped on both ends. I also prefer to run a braded grounding strap from either engine or frame to the cab firewall - just to make sure it has a good ground as well.
You will run your positive battery cable to the battery post of the starter solenoid, then distribute power from there to your ignition switch. The charging wire from your generator will eventually end up there as well (it makes a few stops along the way through the battery gauge then to your circuit breakers/fuse boxes - whatever you are using).
You had to install a new 12 vot generator with this set up so be sure to polarize it by disconnecting the "Field" ("F") lead from the regulator and momentarily touching it to the "Battery" ("B") post of the regulator - then reconnect it to it's correct post. If you installed an alternator - no need to do this ( as a matter of fact DON'T do it).
