| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,088 Posts1,056,416 Members48,443 | | 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!
| | 
#91314 05/21/2004 8:13 AM | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 3 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 3 | I recently replaced my generator with an alternator. Since then I have been blowing through batteries like crazy. Is it possible to have a positive ground system and run an alternator? I have the thick red wire connected to the positive post on the battery, the black wire connected to a switched source, and the white is jumped to the the alternator post the red wire comes off of. If not, how hard is it to convert to a negative ground? Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions. | | |
#91315 05/21/2004 6:18 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 264 Member | | Member Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 264 | cmil, have you checked the voltage your alternator is putting out? A high voltage will not be good for the battery. I suppose you could run an alternator in a +ve ground set-up but you might have to isolate the alternator and run the case to the -ve side of your wiring system and the output to the +ve ground. | | |
#91316 05/22/2004 4:28 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,826 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,826 | Positive ground alternators are available, but they're scarce and expensive. Since practically everything produced since 1957 is 12V negative ground, there's no sense in trying to rig up a positive ground system, IMHO. You might have a shorted voltage regulator that's overcharging the battery. Max voltage against a well-charged battery should be around 14.7 volts. Higher than that, and you'll boil the battery dry, and ruin it in a hurry. Also, be sure the body and engine are well-grounded, especially if you're using an early-type alternator with a remote regulator mounted to the body. I've seen bad grounds cause full alternator output, even with a good regulator.
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!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | |
#91317 05/23/2004 5:03 AM | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 4 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: May 2004 Posts: 4 | to switch to negative ground first disconnect battery switch wires on dash, voltage or amperage gauge switch wires on coil connect battery to negative ground.
Chuck
| | |
#91318 05/23/2004 6:44 AM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Forgive me if this seems a dumb question, but are you running a 6-volt or 12-volt battery?
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
|
|
| |
