The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
9 - 11 Memorials

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
7 members (Peggy M, joe apple, WICruiser, baldeagle, Bill Hanlon, dt235sd, Stovebolt48), 118 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,038
Posts1,055,471
Members48,424
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 40
J
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
J Offline
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 40
This is a follow along to my last question…not sure I ask the right question. I have a new to me “1946 3/4t Chevy PU”…it came to me with the 6volt battery using a negative ground strap going to starter. What do I need to check to make sure there is no damage being done to the electric circuit? Not sure why it was done.

John Kully

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,377
T
Ex Hall Monitor
Ex Hall Monitor
T Offline
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,377
If you are asking if it's ok to use the starter housing as the battery ground the answer is yes. I ground my '38 on the starter housing.


Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 160
R
'Bolter
'Bolter
R Offline
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 160
You should also have a ground going from the motor to the frame and cab.

Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 40
J
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
J Offline
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 40
Are there any other issues (if any) with changing to a negative ground?

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269

jkully.

You are changing from a positive ground to a negative ground?

In your first post, should we interpret that the cable from the negative post on your battery was attached to the starter switch/button on the body of the starter?

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
L
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
L Offline
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
Should not bother a thing. DC motors do not care about line polarity. To reverse them you must change the armature current or the field (s) currents. The one exception is permanent magnet DC.

Light bulbs wont care either - no they will not become black holes.

Bonding the battery (aka grounding) to the starter makes a lot of sense and reduces resistance.


Dan Bentler

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 835
K
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
K Offline
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 835
The one thing that will care if you change the polarity of your ground is the amp meter. It will read backwards. Simple fix though, just reverse the leads.

Kurt

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 160
R
'Bolter
'Bolter
R Offline
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 160
If you reverse the polarity on a coil contrary to what it should be it will loose about 20 0/0 of its output.The post on the coil going to the dist must be the same as the batt term that is grounded.


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0