Guest lizardtrack Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using a positive ground on a 6v system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Probably not would be a general answer. But if the car was built to be positive ground I would keep it that way.If you put the battery in backwards it would probably run just fine until the points start to give you trouble. And the gas gauge and radio probably wont work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest frcc16 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Is it possible that they did that for the same reason the phone company uses -48 volts instead of +48V? To reduce corrosion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ply33 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Is it possible that they did that for the same reason the phone company uses -48 volts instead of +48V? To reduce corrosion?That is my guess too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Have heard that it was because the + cable on the battery always corrodes the most so they thought it would be better if the ground strap rotted off, as it is cheaper and easier to replace. Other than that I don't know any reason to favor one over the other. With today's batteries and alternators you don't get the corrosion you did on the old cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Al Brass Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Watch out for your radio and other accessories, they won't like positive ground. RegardsAl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lizardtrack Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Thanks, things I wonder about when I can't sleep at night. My major concern is the effect on the points and why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 The spark will be jumping the wrong way. I don't know why but points wear quickly when that happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Does the performance of the coil effected by - or + ground? I purchased a Ford 6v coil for my + ground Dodge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Al Brass Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 This has been discussed before. In reality, little difference is ever going to be noticed either way. I have cars that are factory positive ground and others that aren't, they both work the same, wear the same and neither is prone to corrosion. As I suggested before, the main reason negative ground became standard was to suit accessories, of which far more were made to suit negative ground. A little like the Ford T and Left Hand Drive- numbers. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWLawrence Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Ignition coil wiring: Positive grounded systems - Positive (+) terminal to distributor; negative grounded systems - Negative (-) terminal to distributor. (o{}o) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 The condenser for the points (electrolytic capacitor) is polarity sensitive to work properly. As for the positive ground used in many cars, the theory was electrolysis. A low voltage and water with an electrolyte will either remove rust or remove the metal depending on polarity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Does the performance of the coil effected by - or + ground? I purchased a Ford 6v coil for my + ground Dodge.I have got my Dodge Bros DA-6 running and I have noticed the coil being very hot. Not sure the cause. Is there a short in the coil? The coil is new and the engine does run.Got any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I have got my Dodge Bros DA-6 running and I have noticed the coil being very hot. Not sure the cause. Is there a short in the coil? The coil is new and the engine does run.Got any ideas? I have noticed this myself and not found a satisfactory answer. The condenser for the points (electrolytic capacitor) is polarity sensitive to work properly. Why aren't they marked + or - ground? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I don't see how a condensor could be polarity sensitive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Thanks to Google I now understand that condensors can be polarity sensitive depending on the type. Installed many a condensor and never thought about it . Luckily they generally only go one way and on early cars it doesn't matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Boltendal Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Thanks to Google I now understand that condensors can be polarity sensitive depending on the type. Installed many a condensor and never thought about it . Luckily they generally only go one way and on early cars it doesn't matter.Stakeside my idea is, the resistance in the coil is not as it should be, a 6 V coil resistance should read between 3 and 4 Ohm , most likely it isn't, hence the hot coil ( will fail eventually without a doubt)You should put a resistor in the power cable, till you get the wanted 3-4 Ohm, should you find it is about 2 Ohm . 12 V coils are in that range btw Johan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I was told this is a 6v coil. If were a 12v coil instead would that be the cause of the hot coil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Boltendal Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I was told this is a 6v coil. If were a 12v coil instead would that be the cause of the hot coil?It can be either one, that's not the problem, both will get hot , if the nr is not right, you should see you get the right resistance on the one you use, being 3-4 ohm, either you buy a new one with the said nr or buy a resistor to get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Sorry but what is mean by NR. Could be non-resistor .I believe my replacement coil is for a ford.I saw a thread for a 28 chev and it stated either O Reily part BWD E5 or Napa part IC7 would work. It did mention these were non resistor type coils.Are either correct? If not, got any other information what worked for you.Thanks for input, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Boltendal Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Sorry, by nr I mend number as in the Ohm value number. The trouble with coils is there are many sold for all kind of different purposes, not always are they living up to the promisees made, as I learned the hard way.Only way of knowing if the 6 V coil you have or intend to use has the 3-4Ohm resistance, is by measuring the specific coil, if it doesn't have the needed resistance , use a resitor of the right value, to achieve the resistance needed for your use, I have 4 said 6V coils at the moment new and used , not one of these has the said 3-4 Ohm, they vary between 1.9 and 2.4 Ohm, so I use a resistor of 1.5 Ohm and are able to use all 4 . Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now