Author	[Modern View]
easttex 01-05-2013 08:14:25 71.96.133.88 Report to Moderator	Iam thinking about installing a eletronic conversion kit. How do I detremind if my distributor is positive ground or negitive ground? [Reply]   [No Email]
Cliff Nelson 01-05-2013 11:02:32 69.21.97.161 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to easttex, 01-05-2013 08:14:25   The only way to know for sure what it is, is to look at the battery connections. It may be different from what it was originally, the coil may not be connected correctly, but battery connections will tell you what it is NOW. That said, get the kit designed for how the tractor will be set up when finished (if you plan on changing anything) and connect it properly. Improper connections will likely end with buying another kit. [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 01-05-2013 10:29:06 96.244.154.80 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to easttex, 01-05-2013 08:14:25   The answer is, to buy the pertronix kit appropriate for your tractor. It will be correct right out of the box, as long as no one has messed with the electrical system. [Reply]  [No Email]
Gambles 01-05-2013 10:28:29 24.246.215.127 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to easttex, 01-05-2013 08:14:25   Is the positive battery post hooked to ground or is the negative battery post hooked to ground? Also, get a $5 digital volt meter from Horror Freight and get familiar with it. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 01-05-2013 09:40:24 69.10.199.107 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to easttex, 01-05-2013 08:14:25   The coil has poles marked on the two terminals on the top. The polarity of the tractor is the same as the coil terminal whose wire goes to the distributor. Unless its the other way around, in which case, the correction will be forthcoming very quickly. [Reply]  [No Email]
JMOR 01-05-2013 10:36:11 72.181.173.171 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to Mike (WA), 01-05-2013 09:40:24   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to seeThat method of determining ground polarity is almost, almost as good as tossing a coin! Especially on an old tractor that has had many, many hands on it in the last several decades. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 01-05-2013 12:36:17 69.10.199.107 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to JMOR, 01-05-2013 10:36:11   Yeah, you've got a point there. Assuming there's no battery in the rig (if there is, then we have to re-think the old saying that "there are no stupid questions"), look at the battery cables. If one is for a smaller post than the other, that would be for the negative terminal, and if the indicated polarity is the same as for my coil wire test, its a pretty good bet that you've got it tied down. [Reply]  [No Email]
MarkB_MI 01-05-2013 08:22:32 75.219.91.91 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to easttex, 01-05-2013 08:14:25   In general, six volt systems are positive ground and 12 volt systems are negative ground. Pretty much anything with an alternator on it is negative ground, including tractors converted from six to twelve volts. Of course, what really matters to your electronic ignition is not what the polarity SHOULD BE, but what it IS. Check it with a voltmeter, since it's possible the battery is charged backwards! [Reply]  [No Email]
McBride 01-05-2013 08:40:53 74.70.171.169 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to MarkB_MI, 01-05-2013 08:22:32   But also remember some have + ground systems with 12 and 6 volts with a + ground 12 or 6 volt alternator. [Reply]  [No Email]
McBride 01-05-2013 08:17:41 74.70.171.169 Report to Moderator	Re: distributor / points grounding in reply to easttex, 01-05-2013 08:14:25   Look at your battery terminals. Does the cable that bolts to the frame come from the - {Neg ground} or from the + {pos ground} [Reply]  [No Email]