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Positive or negative
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:02 pm
by Marlin47
1961 Ford Anglia 105 E. Negative or positive earth ?
Cheers.
Re: Positive or negative
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:33 pm
by tr7v8
Positive unless it has been converted which is quite likely. Easiest way is to check the battery earth lead.
Re: Positive or negative
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:42 pm
by Marlin47
Er, check it for what ? To see if it's live ? If the minus lead goes to the car body for an earth, does that make it negative ?
Do you know, I once took a Jaguar "E" Type engine out of the car in a garage without any electricity ( a lock up in Battersea )' but I blench when dealing with electrics. It gets worse as one gets older !
Re: Positive or negative
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:57 pm
by tr7v8
Marlin47 wrote:Er, check it for what ? To see if it's live ? If the minus lead goes to the car body for an earth, does that make it negative ?
Exactly! If the lead attached to the body is the neg then it is negative earth & vice versa. It will have been build positive earth but reasons for changing are commonly 1. fitting modern radios &/or 2. Fitting an alternator to improve the charging system.
There were positive earth alternators but they're as rare as rockin-'orse poo.
Re: Positive or negative
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:18 pm
by Marlin47
Great ! You've been very helpful. Thank you. What about charging the battery if it's flat, though ?
Does the minus charger crocodile clip clamp to the minus battery terminal and ditto the positive ?
Re: Positive or negative
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:26 pm
by sam
yes