6v negative ground?

N

Nybz

Member
Just going through the electrical on the new ‘ 53 cub tractor.
I kept hearing about how these tractors are positive ground.
So I am confused because it looks like my tractor is 6v negative ground....? Is that possible?

I am alittle confused about the whole positive ground thing, so I might not be thinking about this right.

But the tractor does start and run, as it is.

Can it operate as a negative ground? Or is that why my charging is acting funny and the lights don’t work?
 

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Somebody probably just put the battery in backwards because he didn't know better. If you have original style components, it will tolerate having the battery backwards. (This is NOT true of later solid state or alternator systems!) The only thing you HAVE TO do when reversing the battery is to polarize the generator before you start it. This will also reverse the readings on the ammeter.

What do you mean by "charging is acting funny"? Does it show a charge when you turn the switch on before you start the engine?

Whatever is wrong with your lights is a separate problem. Ignore it until you get the charging sorted out.
 
Is this a solid state/alternator system?

When I checked the charging it was around 6.50v so I imagine it wasn’t charging.

I got a bunch of parts coming from TM

It may just be a case to get a 12v system....
 

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this should help check it out, is the regulator mounted, looks like its just hanging there, look at the regulator, on the mounting tabs and the bottom, it might say 6 volt positive or negative ground, looks like a not to good wiring job, the ground cable needs to be bolted to the chassis not the tool box, never charge right with bad grounds
 

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Nybz":20ctm6gx said:
Is this a solid state/alternator system?
Click to expand...
Neither. It's a generator.
When I checked the charging it was around 6.50v so I imagine it wasn’t charging.
Click to expand...
Maybe. Not connected to battery charger. Crank over the engine a couple turns without starting the engine, then check the battery voltage and again running the tractor at 3/4 throttle. No change or a slight battery voltage drop - not charging.

Have you been charging up the battery?

I would do as the others have suggested prior to changing out any parts.

Edit. 6.5 volts is in the good ball park for a 6 V battery.
 
OK. Turn the battery around so positive is grounded. Go over all the connections to clean them up and make sure they are snug. Along with the specific problems others mentioned, I see the wire on the generator "A" terminal is too loose to work. Bad ground connections are common problems. Then polarize the generator (Briefly jump battery voltage to the generator "A".).

After doing the above, check to see if it is charging. If not, use the flowchart tst posted.
 
Thanks for all the help folks. New tractor, new quirks.

I unbolted the regulator and the generator wire to clean them up, that is why they are loose.

I currently dont have a 6v charger so I haven't been keeping it charged.

The amp meter wasn't reading it was charging when it was running, it was going into the discharge zone. That's why I decided to dig deeper.

I have been changing the tire widths to straddle a 4 foot bed,(jees those rear wheel weights are heavy!) and the gas tank is off currently because of a missing head bolt. So I can't check it running right now.

so is there potential damage to the electrical system running the polarity backwards? I am amazed it runs really well.

Thanks again appreciate your help and patience, I am sure you answered all these before. I have been searching on the forum, gaining some good tips.

This tractor has to get to work soon! the season is coming
 
Nybz":1hwzw3lz said:
Is there potential damage to the electrical system running the polarity backwards?
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No. Not with a generator.

If you haven't been charging up the battery, the generator and regulator are working.

Reverse the battery polarity so that it's positive ground. Then polarize the regulator. Your electrical system should be good to go - at least the generator, regulator, amp meter, and battery portion of the electrical system.

Do make the corrections the other guys suggested.

Edit. Didn't read far enough back. Jim made the same recommendations on the battery, etc..
 
Jim Becker":1qpdi6up said:
What do you mean by "charging is acting funny"? Does it show a charge when you turn the switch on before you start the engine?
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You haven't answered this question yet. Which way does the ammeter needle move when you turn the ignition switch on?

This is a serious no-BS question we need answered!
 
Hi,
The generator in your pic above is an original style Delco 6 volt generator, like a 1953 Cub came with.

Below is a page from the 1955 Cub operator's manual, showing the original electrical system.
The system is the same as a 1953 Cub had.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... e%2050.jpg

The plate on the generator should have a model number on the left side. The original model number was probably 1100501.
The voltage regulator is mounted on a plate attached by the generator mounting bolts.

Below is a listing at TM Tractor showing a new plate, you can look at the pics. :)

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/el/952fp.htm
 
Nybz":30m8qycl said:
The amp meter was showing slight discharge when ignition switch was turned on.
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In that case, your ammeter wires have been swapped reversing the ammeter readings. After you reverse the battery the ammeter will read backwards until you swap the wires at the ammeter back to their original positions.
 
Hi,
I can't see the voltage regulator much in your pic on page 1 of this post, it is too dark, but it looks like a different than original style regulator. It is possible someone put on a regulator for a 6 volt, negative ground system.
There might be identification on the bottom of it telling the voltage and which ground it is.
You could take it off and look.
If it is negative ground, and works, I wouldn't connect the system with positive ground.
But you said it doesn't charge, so it might need replacing.

Below is a pic from Brillman of the 6 volt positive ground regulator that Cubs use. :)
 

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Glen":yw6ziciv said:
It is possible someone put on a regulator for a 6 volt, negative ground system.
Click to expand...
Most of the 6V regulators are both positive and negative ground, requiring polarizing to accomplish the desire polarity ground.
But you said it doesn't charge, so it might need replacing.
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Nybz":yw6ziciv said:
I currently dont have a 6v charger so I haven't been keeping it charged. The amp meter wasn't reading it was charging when it was running, it was going into the discharge zone.
Click to expand...
 
Hi,
The new voltage regulators I have bought say for negative or positive ground on the bottom of them.
I've never tried connecting them the other way from what is written on them.
 
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