A Question Of Ground....

Absent Minded Farmer · Jul 11, 2009

On a 12v - ground system, is it ok to attach the ground cable to the frame using one of the starter mounting bolts? It's set up that way on my H & W6, but the H is 8v+ ground & the W is 12v+, both with a genny. Another thought popped up while thinking of the H. Should I have a resistor to the internal coil, seein's how I'm cheating with an 8v batt? I suppose, then, back to the attack on the 400! Thanks - Mike

old · Jul 11, 2009

Hooking your ground up to a starter bolt works real well and would you believe it does not matter if it is + or - ground. The starter will not care nor will the tractor

Absent Minded Farmer · Jul 11, 2009

Thanks, old, I think this may solve my grounding problem. It's currently (pun intended) grounded to a bolt on the belt pulley & I get a bad volt reading when I ground to the bolt! - Mike

gene bender · Jul 11, 2009

Tractors i know about using an 8V batt do not use a resistor and have been running that way for many years no changes to regulators just hook pos ground and go for it seems like too many think they have to screw with regulators. Back in day one training schools GM and others always said leave your fingers off the regulators.

old · Jul 11, 2009

In theory it should not matter where you ground one but because of paint, rust, and grease it can in fact cause problems

Janicholson · Jul 11, 2009

You are doing good, Keep chasing the power. Lights must work with the alt disconnected before anything else can be done! JimN

Anonymous-0 · Jul 11, 2009

G.M. Training was not working with 8 volts. Please explain how a 6 volt regulator set to limit voltage to 7.2 volts, charge an 8 volt battery? Eight volt systems are a hybridized mess.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 11, 2009

Just the opposite. Ohm's LAW(which is beyond theory) dictates that any increase in resistance will cause a decrease in current flow.

old · Jul 11, 2009

The law also states that any place as far as electricity goes is the same point. I.E. if you ground it at the starter or you ground it any place else the law of electricity says it is the same. Sorry I'm an ex ET from the navy and in the past I fixed computers etc. So yes I know ohms law and also how to program computers or should I say did know back 30 years ago. Plus count in binary and octal etc

Janicholson · Jul 12, 2009

Cast Iron and mild steel have substantially more resistance than copper or aluminum. The 400 amps drawn by a 6volt starter is best placed where it has least iron (and rust/paint/corrosion) to travel through. With signal level grounds, and static, almost any ground will do. Starters are more of a short circuit. Respectfully, Jim

John G. Hasler · Jul 12, 2009

> The law also states that any place as far as
> electricity goes is the same point. I.E. if you
> ground it at the starter or you ground it any
> place else the law of electricity says it is the
> same.

Jim is right. The iron has resistance, as does every bolted connection between castings. It's a very small amount of resistance and doesn't matter for the small currents drawn by lights and such but it can cause significant voltage drop with the 400+ amps drawn by the starter. Bolting directly to the starter is best, assuming that the battery cables are large enough.

> Sorry I'm an ex ET from the navy and in the
> past I fixed computers etc.

I'm an electrical engineer. In the past I designed computers etc.

old · Jul 12, 2009

So then go back to my first post and look at what I said in the first place. I.E. starter bolt. As I also said in THEORY any place is the same. THINK ABOUT IT AND READ EVERY THING before you jump on some one. I agree using the starter bolt is best so go look at where this all started

old · Jul 12, 2009

Jim if you look at my first post I do say it is best to ground at the starter all I am saying here is THEORY says any place is the same

Janicholson · Jul 12, 2009

My Austin Healy Sprite with Toyota Corolla running gear is grounded well to the frame in the trunk. Then engine grounded to frame at the starter with a Oga strap. The Pos runs 3.5' on OOgauge welding cable. JimN

A Question Of Ground....

Absent Minded Farmer

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Absent Minded Farmer

Well-known Member

gene bender

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

John G. Hasler

Member

old

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Similar threads