Positive Grounding Vehicles

[dibbons]

Dad had a Ford Tractor on the ranch which I believe was a 1950's model with a 6 volt battery. In this case, the positive cable was used as the ground wire. I just saw a short video where it was explained that this was a common practice back in the day, but eventually it was found that frames/metal would rust much more rapidly with this method. Anyone seen this used on a classic or antique Mopar vehicle?

P.S. The tractor battery was replaced one time by someone not aware of the reverse polarity from the factory and amazingly the starter motor still functioned and the motor ran.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yes. There were positive grounds on passenger cars.

 

[Bewy]

I believe a lot of English cars used a pos grd.

 

[shittyslant6]

Dad had a Ford Tractor on the ranch which I believe was a 1950's model with a 6 volt battery. In this case, the positive cable was used as the ground wire. I just saw a short video where it was explained that this was a common practice back in the day, but eventually it was found that frames/metal would rust much more rapidly with this method. Anyone seen this used on a classic or antique Mopar vehicle?

P.S. The tractor battery was replaced one time by someone not aware of the reverse polarity from the factory and amazingly the starter motor still functioned and the motor ran.

not on mopars but on 6 volt chevys. hurts ya head a little bit.

 

[nutz]

my 50 dodge pu is pos ground
when i bought it i brought a new battery so i could fire it up
hot wired the coil.....to the wrong side (pos) it didn't start realized it was pos ground swap to the neg side ,fired up and drove it onto the trailer
not sure how many 6 volt cars/trucks were but a friend has a 50s international pu 6 volt that was pos ground too

 

[halifaxhops]

They used n them on most pre 53 I believe. Before the electron microscope they thought the electrons went opposite neg to pos. Drive a new mechanic nuts now bring him one to tune up and rotate the tires with LH lug nuts! Easiest ID for them is the VR.

 

[Dana67Dart]

In the 60s my grandfather had a PA system he used when he obedience trained dogs in Canoga Park, CA.

After his death I got The PA system. I set in on the back of my pickup truck and hooked it up. PAAAAZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPP!

turns out the PA was positive ground!

 

[mopar head]

not on mopars

Yes on mopars.

 

[harrisonm]

PAAAAZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPP!

That sounds a lot worse than just getting a ZAP.

 

[dirty white boy]

in 40s, 50s into the 60s lotta big trucks had 4 6 vt battery's hooked up positive ground in series, cranked on 24vt and run on 12vt!!

 

[4spdragtop]

We have a couple diesel stand-by gens at work 12V pos ground

 

[A56]

and motorcycles as well, especially British bikes.

 

[dukeboy440]

Dad had a Ford Tractor on the ranch which I believe was a 1950's model with a 6 volt battery. In this case, the positive cable was used as the ground wire. I just saw a short video where it was explained that this was a common practice back in the day, but eventually it was found that frames/metal would rust much more rapidly with this method. Anyone seen this used on a classic or antique Mopar vehicle?

P.S. The tractor battery was replaced one time by someone not aware of the reverse polarity from the factory and amazingly the starter motor still functioned and the motor ran.

we had a pair of John Deere 4440s, built in 78 and 79. Both were originally dual battery, 6 volts positive grounded tractors. Converted to 12V dual battery and negative grounding via a kit from John Deere. Interestingly enough, they both stayed pretty rust free except on the hood where the fuel fill was.

 

[nutz]

Didn't think they did it after the 50s

 

[dukeboy440]

Didn't think they did it after the 50s

Tractor makers back then were no different than automakers, somethings were a crap shoot and varied. John Deere sold a lot to Canda and europe back then too so somethings crossed over.

 

[pikewi]

Dad had a Ford Tractor on the ranch which I believe was a 1950's model with a 6 volt battery. In this case, the positive cable was used as the ground wire. I just saw a short video where it was explained that this was a common practice back in the day, but eventually it was found that frames/metal would rust much more rapidly with this method. Anyone seen this used on a classic or antique Mopar vehicle?

P.S. The tractor battery was replaced one time by someone not aware of the reverse polarity from the factory and amazingly the starter motor still functioned and the motor ran.

I have a 41 Ford 9n tractor 6v pos ground. No rust problems

 

[dibbons]

I have a 41 Ford 9n tractor 6v pos ground. No rust problems

That's how the clip justified most every company from changing over to negative ground but perhaps the rust problem just an old wives tale.

 

[33IMP]

I have four vehicles with 6V/+gr. Three Mopes, and a ford..
One in my avatar.

 

[Minercar]

My 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook is 6v positive ground

 

[nutz]

Question of the day
To convert to neg ground 6 to a pos ground 12v ......
What needs to be changed
I know to do a 6 to 12 its manly bulbs and a ing coil...

 

[Dana67Dart]

To convert to neg ground 6 to a pos ground 12v ......

you would need to do something with the voltage for the gauges and any electric motors would run backwards. BUT the real question why go from a 6V NEG ground to a 12V POS ground?

 

[mvh]

British cars up to 1967 or thereabouts were positive earth. Since they had generators, it was easy to repolarize them and convert to negative earth. If they had electric tachs, those would need to be rewired.

 

[nutz]

12v has a lot more "force" behind the circuit
So easier on the starter motor and other electric loads

 

[nutz]

They have been talking or going 24v on cars for years
Cause you can use wiring at 1/2 the gage to save weight and the copper used in the car

 

[Minercar]

You have to change the generator/voltage for an alternator/voltage regulator and any electronic dash gauges, (My 53 has fuel, volt charging) possibly wiper motor, heater blower motor, flashers. Some of these components can be controlled with proper resistance but that will generate more heat. The starter will spin in reverse unless polarity is changed if going from positive to negative ground or visa versa.