positive ground on a H

INBrett · Aug 4, 2013

My uncle brought out an H that is still 6v. He has the positive cable going to the start switch and the negative cable going to the mounting bolt for the starter. It starts and runs and I am notsure if the ammeter is even working yet. I thought the battery cables should be switched the other way. He had a mechanic help him with it before he brought it to me. Am I just backwards on this? My SC is 6 volt and my positive side goes to the frame and the negative side goes to the starter.

Bob M · Aug 4, 2013

From the factory the H was set for POSITIVE ground, like your SC.

However ground polarity is pretty much arbitrary - the tractor will start/run/charge just fine with the battery grounded either polarity.

Note however some (thought NOT all...) voltage regulators are designed to work best with the ground polarity as noted on the regulator cover. The tractor should then be grounded as marked.

INBrett · Aug 4, 2013

So do you think I should change it back? Thank you for the response.

David G · Aug 4, 2013

I would set it to positive ground if it is still 6V, because that is what most people would expect.

You will need to connect the battery cables correctly and polarize the generator. I think John T has posted articles on polarization

INBrett · Aug 4, 2013

I guess it sat for about a year without a battery. I asked him if they polarized it after they installed that battery but he wasn't sure about it. He brought it out to put in my barn until we can work on it. I think tomorrow I will switch the battery back and try to polarize it. I am thinking it doesn't have a regulator though. I think it has a cut out relay instead. If it does, do I still polarize it? Thanks

David G · Aug 4, 2013

Yes it will need done, the generator is polarized, not the regulator.

Look up some of the archives. I am lazy, just convert them to 12V alternators with integral regulator.

Bob M · Aug 4, 2013

If the battery charges with the engine running, my inclination would be to leave it "as is".

Just be sure to observe ground polarity should you ever need to jump start the tractor! (Regardless of ground polarity ALWAYS connect jumper cables battery "+" to battery "+"; and battery "-" to battery "-").

Janicholson · Aug 4, 2013

To polarize the generator (when you put the cables as they are on the SC, and which is the way it came from the factory), With the engine off, (do not start it before polarizing)take a piece of copper wire #12 or 10 gauge, and jump from the Bat terminal on the cutout relay to the Arm terminal on the relay. This magnetizes the iron in the poles so it charges correctly. No other effort is needed.
I have attached John T charging analysis to help if it still does not charge. And diagrams from Bob M if wiring is needed. Jim
John T analysis

Bob M diagrams

positive ground on a H

INBrett

Member

Bob M

Well-known Member

INBrett

Member

David G

Well-known Member

INBrett

Member

David G

Well-known Member

Bob M

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Similar threads