| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,041 Posts1,055,487 Members48,424 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  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!
| | 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!
| | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher 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 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor 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 'Bolter | | 'Bolter 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 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher 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 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark 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 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark 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 'Bolter | | 'Bolter 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. | | |
|
|
| |
