47 Champ - positive ground?

[52-fan]

Unless someone has messed with the electrical system it is 6 volt positive ground.
Be sure to polarize the charging system after you reconnect the battery as in the shop manual. Sometimes you can get by without it, but I always do it to be safe. I can't remember off the top of my head which terminal on the regulator to touch with the wire. Maybe someone else can let you know or I will look in the manual when I get home tonight.

1952 Champion Starlight, 1962 Daytona, 1947 M5. Searcy,Arkansas

[uasrs]

47 Champ - positive ground?

I took the battery off of my 47 Champ business coupe and didn't bother to check if it was a positive ground system. Does anyone know?

[StudeRich]

Welcome to SDC and to the SDC Forum uasrs!

You connect a small 16,14 or 12 ga. wire, not critical whatever is handy from the "B" Battery term. of the voltage regulator to the "A" Armature term to polarize the generator type, 6 volt system. Make sure it does HAVE a generator, and not a Alternator conversion though.

You will need very large gauge battery cables on a 6 volt, because they have more amperage than a 12V. And yes all 6 volt Studebakers, Fords & Chrysler products are POSITIVE ground.

Note: I changed the terms. from "F" to "A" after re-reading the '47-'51 Shop Manual for Champion (Autolite) 6 volt systems.

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[studesnbldr]

Rich- Does one need to polarize the 6V system (or 12V generator system for that matter) each & every time the battery is disconnected & reconnected?? If one does and has not been doing so, what if any damage can result? I always disconnect my '51 Land Cruisers battery everytime it is parked and have never polarized it when reconnecting the cables. I have polarized it whenever the regulator &/or generator has been disconnected. Your or anyone elses thoughts?

Christof Kheim
---studesnbldr
christof@rockymountainstudebaker.net

[StudeRich]

Chris; as long as the generator and Regulator remain in place and connected, I do not think it is a problem to remove the batt. it has never been a problem for me.

You will know if it does not show a charge on the Ampmeter however.

That's why I would NEVER have a Voltmeter, it shows the voltage AFTER the charging system has failed, with a Ampmeter you know the instant the charge rate drops off or it discharges![^]

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[uasrs]

Rich, this is probably a stupid question but I'll ask anyway. I assume the battery has to be connected before polarizing the regulator and, how long does this wire need to stay connected?

[StudeRich]

In order for current to flow from the hot Batt. terminal of the regulator to the the "A" Armature Terminal, you would have to have power there, YES connect the Battery. It only takes a second, no need to hold it there, just touch and release.

Be sure the cell covers are on the battery, you could produce a spark and you do not want vapors from a recently charged battery coming out, where they could get ignited. If you think that is an issue, you could always cover the battery with cardboard or something non-metallic like wood.
Note: I changed the terms. from "F" to "A" after re-reading the '47-'51 Shop Manual for Champion (Autolite) 6 volt systems.

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[jsallin]

If the system is for a 12V, does it need to polarized as well? I have a 1954 pickup that the mechanic is having a hard time with. He has rebuilt the generator and voltage regulator, and has replaced much of the old wire, but the battery will still not hold a charge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Josh

[Roscomacaw]

Yes, 12volt generator systems have to be polarized as well. BTW, 12volt systems should be Negative ground.[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[jsallin]

Thanks. The truck was my grandfather's so not sure what changes he made. The mechanic said it was hooked up as a positive ground then he started working on it. Forgive my ignorance, but if it is hooked up as a positive ground, what would he do to switch it? If it was hooked up backwards, what would happen?

Thanks for your help

[studeboy28]

Be careful if the system was rigged. Not all 12 volt sytems in the late 50's were negative ground. Case tractors of that time period used a 12 volt autolite generator that was positive ground. These were the same size as the 6 volt autolite generators in some studebakers. If one of these was swapped in the sytem could be 12 volt positive ground.

28 dictator
40 commander

[jsallin]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

Welcome to SDC and to the SDC Forum uasrs!

You connect a small 16,14 or 12 ga. wire, not critical whatever is handy from the "B" Battery term. of the voltage regulator to the "A" Armature term to polarize the generator type, 6 volt system. Make sure it does HAVE a generator, and not a Alternator conversion though.

You will need very large gauge battery cables on a 6 volt, because they have more amperage than a 12V. And yes all 6 volt Studebakers, Fords & Chrysler products are POSITIVE ground.

Note: I changed the terms. from "F" to "A" after re-reading the '47-'51 Shop Manual for Champion (Autolite) 6 volt systems.

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA