Electrical: 1931 President

[DavidH1]

is the car positive or negative ground? What would cause the generator discharge?

[SN-60]

May I ask what model/body style '31 Studebaker President You're working on?

[dictator27]

Positive ground. If the battery is hooked up backwards, the guage will read backwards.

Terry

[DavidH1]

Two door convertible, 80 series.

May I ask what model/body style '31 Studebaker President You're working on?

[DavidH1]

Thanks Terry. I have the battery hook up the right way and still discharging.

[dictator27]

Are the generator and regulator functioning properly? If the wiring is the original cloth covered stuff there will likely be possible short circuits.

Terry

[DEBurt]

I have a 1928 Dictator, which is positive ground. However, hooked up either way should not affect the generator, as the current flows the same from the neg side as the pos side. It does affect the output of the coil however. I read an article that was a study done that showed twice as much output coming from the positive ground hook up, negative post going to the coil. Positive ground produced approx. 20,000 volts and neg ground produced 10,000 volts. The generator should be putting current back to the battery either way. Sounds like your generator needs attention.