6V Positive to 6V Neg Generator/Reg

PeterC

PeterC

Well-known member
I have a 59L flathead that was converted from standard 6V positive ground to negative ground - the rational was to make a 6V electronic ignition conversion more reliable. At the same time - a 6V internally regulated alternator was added. I do not like the look of the modern alternator in the engine bay so want to switch to the original generator.

Is it an easy task to switch polarity of the generator and convert a stock positive external regulator to neg ground?
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To switch from pos to neg ground all you need to do is switch the wires on amp gauge and start and ground the field terminal on regulator just to make a spark and you are done. Power master does sell a alternator that looks like a generator but they are pricey.
 
Hi Peter, did you mean you have electronic ignition on a 59 engine if so could you post where please,thanks coolcoupe
 
If the voltage regulater says,"negative ground" on it you will be okay, if it says,"positive" that means only one side of the contact points is plated with...I forget, and it will not last very long when working with a negative grounded system.
If it does NOT say anything about polarity that means both sides of the contacts are plated and the regulater will last just fine either way.
There is no difference in reliability or longivity with a negative grounded system.
If you are going to use a stock Ford 6 volt coil you should stay with positive ground.
For a positive ground you must run the wire through the amp meter from bottom to top and over to the fuse or breaker.
Drop it down through the AMP meter sleeve when using neg. ground or the Amp meter will read backwards.
You don't have to have the engine running to polarize a generater, just flash the field (on a Ford) for a second. That means connect the field wire to the Batt. wire for a second or unhook the Batt. wire and touch it on the field terminal wire for a second.
 
When flashing the field to polarize the generator it's better to remove the field wire from it's terminal and stroke it briefly on the battery terminal on the regulator, that way, the brief high current pulse does not pass through the field contacts inside the regulator. ..B.
 
I have a similar problem:
Has someone already successfully converted a 6 Volt PowerGen alternator from positive earth to negative earth?
 
almost all early automobile brands were 6volt postive ground. what would be the advantage of switching to negitve ground? just curious why you would whant to do this ?
is the 6volt neg grnd. electronic dist any more reliable than 6 voly pos grnd?

12 Volt a better option? a beautiful engine.
 
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ventilo said:
I have a similar problem:
Has someone already successfully converted a 6 Volt PowerGen alternator from positive earth to negative earth?
Click to expand...

I checked with the tech guys at PowerMaster for the PowerGen- they could not/would not make the change to neg ground - would have to re-engineer the whole thing - not worth to time/$ for such a limited demand.:mad:
 
jdl said:
almost all early automobile brands were 6volt postive ground. what would be the advantage of switching to negitve ground? just curious why you would whant to do this ?
is the 6volt neg grnd. electronic dist any more reliable than 6 voly pos grnd?

12 Volt a better option? a beautiful engine.
Click to expand...

When this 39 was built - because he went electronic ignition - the thought was that neg ground was a much better connectivity as the electronic pick up could be easily ruined if it did not have a solid ground - so neg ground was thought to be better for that reason - whether that is a sound reason - not sure - but that's the way it was done.:)
 
coolcoupe said:
Hi Peter, did you mean you have electronic ignition on a 59 engine if so could you post where please,thanks coolcoupe
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Yes - this has a 6V electronic ignition in a late Flathead Ford distributor with a crab cap - not sure what your question is - could you restate please.
 
BOSSY said:
To switch from pos to neg ground all you need to do is switch the wires on amp gauge and start and ground the field terminal on regulator just to make a spark and you are done. Power master does sell a alternator that looks like a generator but they are pricey.
Click to expand...

My 39 already is neg ground - the PawerMaster you mentioned is only available pos ground
 
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