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#723463 02/22/2011 10:54 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
5
New Guy
New Guy
5 Offline
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
I'm little new to this and have a 52 3100 that has all original running gear and electronics, can anyone tell me if theese trucks ran a positive or negative ground??

52bolter #723473 02/22/2011 11:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 575
B
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
B Offline
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 575
My 49 is a negative ground.

Bigtonka #723478 02/23/2011 12:19 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,887
S
Cruising in the Passing Lane
Cruising in the Passing Lane
S Offline
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,887
welcome to the garage 52bolter, if you have a Chev it is neg

Bill


Moved over to the Passing Lane

"When we tug a single thing in nature we find it attached to the rest of the world" John Muir
"When we tug a single thing on an old truck, we find it falls off" me
Some TF series details & TF heater pics & Rust-a-holics Unanimous parking lot
52bolter #723611 02/23/2011 12:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
5
New Guy
New Guy
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 10
Thanks for your help, I had it hooked up that way and it ran and lites worked, but when I took my Generator to be rebuilt as it was not charging, the guy said it should be a neg grd. Has anyone heard of this??

52bolter #723618 02/23/2011 1:14 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Originally Posted by 52bolter
Thanks for your help, I had it hooked up that way and it ran and lites worked, but when I took my Generator to be rebuilt as it was not charging, the guy said it should be a neg grd. Has anyone heard of this??
Is that a mistype? As posted above, your truck was originally negative ground.

Here's an ignorant side-observation: it has been a long time since I had to deal with a bad generator; but, years ago when I had a charging problem I'd take both the voltage regulator and the generator to the electrical shop. I thought this would allow a professional to confirm where the problem was and allow for adjustment of the voltage regulator, if necessary.

52bolter #723629 02/23/2011 2:16 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,740
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,740
Chevy electrical systems were negative ground, while GMC's of the same year had a positive ground system. The generator can be polarized to work either way. Original-equipment regulators had different part numbers for positive or negative ground polarity, while most replacement units are wired to work with either polarity. I second the motion to let the rebuilder adjust the generator and regulator as a matched set. Back in the 1950's, my father had contracts with several trucking companies to rebuild and calibrate generator/regulator pairs, which were swapped out on a time or mileage cycle for preventive maintenance. This practice virtually eliminated charging system-related road breakdowns.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

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