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#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
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#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
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#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...
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