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(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Been playing with my '68 Traveller this morning, and finally got the engine running, but I'm still not sure whether it is positive or negative earth. It was positive earth when it left the factory, and I'm fairly sure has never been changed to negative, but how can I tell, just by looking at it? The coil has been changed, and that will work either way round. There are no helpful stickers, the no battery, until I fitted one this morning. The engine runs, and the ignition light went out, so that answers my question? -- Graeme |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
"Graeme" wrote in message ... Been playing with my '68 Traveller this morning, and finally got the engine running, but I'm still not sure whether it is positive or negative earth. It was positive earth when it left the factory, and I'm fairly sure has never been changed to negative, but how can I tell, just by looking at it? The coil has been changed, and that will work either way round. There are no helpful stickers, the no battery, until I fitted one this morning. The engine runs, and the ignition light went out, so that answers my question? -- Graeme Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Graeme wrote:
Been playing with my '68 Traveller this morning, and finally got the engine running, but I'm still not sure whether it is positive or negative earth. It was positive earth when it left the factory, and I'm fairly sure has never been changed to negative, but how can I tell, just by looking at it? The coil has been changed, and that will work either way round. There are no helpful stickers, the no battery, until I fitted one this morning. The engine runs, and the ignition light went out, so that answers my question? -- Graeme connect a multimeter or lightbulb from each battery terminal in turn to the chassis. The terminal that lights is the oposite one to the one connected to the chassis. NT |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
wrote in message connect a multimeter or lightbulb from each battery terminal in turn to the chassis. The terminal that lights is the oposite one to the one connected to the chassis. NT ? |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
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(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
Graeme wrote: Been playing with my '68 Traveller this morning, and finally got the engine running, but I'm still not sure whether it is positive or negative earth. It was positive earth when it left the factory, and I'm fairly sure has never been changed to negative, but how can I tell, just by looking at it? The coil has been changed, and that will work either way round. There are no helpful stickers, the no battery, until I fitted one this morning. The engine runs, and the ignition light went out, so that answers my question? Yes. If the ignition light goes off the dynamo is charging. Which it won't with the battery reversed. The coil should be correctly polarized to work properly, though. If negative earth this means (+) to ignition switch, (-) to CB. -- *Born free - taxed to death * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In message , George
writes Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Radio? What is this modern invention of which you speak? :-) No radio, and there wasn't a battery until I fitted one this morning. I have fitted the battery positive to earth, which I *think* is correct. -- Graeme |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
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(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes In article , Graeme wrote: The engine runs, and the ignition light went out, so that answers my question? Yes. If the ignition light goes off the dynamo is charging. Which it won't with the battery reversed. Thanks Dave. That is *exactly* the confirmation I hoped for. The coil should be correctly polarized to work properly, though. If negative earth this means (+) to ignition switch, (-) to CB. Exactly as it is wired, which cheers me up no end. The previous coil exploded about ten years ago - I've never seen anything like it, before or since. All the oily gunk inside escaped, after which it failed :-) -- Graeme |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
"Graeme" wrote in message ... In message , George writes Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Radio? What is this modern invention of which you speak? :-) No radio, and there wasn't a battery until I fitted one this morning. I have fitted the battery positive to earth, which I *think* is correct. -- Graeme Hah! you have the poor mans Mini ie the dashboard was just a hole with a speedo in the center. Mine was customized with a radio and eight track and all sorts of fairy lights :-) |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In message , George
writes "Graeme" wrote in message Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Radio? What is this modern invention of which you speak? :-) No radio, and there wasn't a battery until I fitted one this morning. I have fitted the battery positive to earth, which I *think* is correct. Hah! you have the poor mans Mini ie the dashboard was just a hole with a speedo in the center. Whoops! My mistake - I should have clarified. Not a Mini Traveller, a Morris Minor traveller, but, yes, fairly basic. Two glove boxes, one either side of the speedo - the one on the passenger side even has a drop down flap! I do have a positive earth radio to fit, but am worried about drilling a hole in the wing, for the aerial. Just one slip ... Mine was customized with a radio and eight track and all sorts of fairy lights :-) Grin Reminds me of my Anglias, but we probably don't need to go there! -- Graeme |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
On Mon, 05 May 2008 17:04:52 +0100, Graeme wrote:
I do have a positive earth radio to fit Where do you get one of those these days - or is it of a vintage with the motor? -- John Stumbles Women always generalise |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
"John Stumbles" wrote in message ... On Mon, 05 May 2008 17:04:52 +0100, Graeme wrote: I do have a positive earth radio to fit Where do you get one of those these days - or is it of a vintage with the motor? -- John Stumbles Women always generalise Visit many of the forums on internet that still have classic cars and sommeone might part with one at a price. :-) When I left school,took job in a lemonade place and in the large storage shed where the emtpy damaged wooden crates were stacked somone had created a space with most of the crates to form a housing around an E-type Jaguar(could have been a Bently?) I happen to accidently find this,it was of the wire wheel type and it was as though it was still in showroom condition as it had tarpauiln draped over it. My god! the interior still smelled of new leather and the walnut dashboard and trim still highly polished. This must have been worth a considerable amount at todays standards? |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Graeme wrote:
In message , George writes Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Radio? What is this modern invention of which you speak? :-) No radio, and there wasn't a battery until I fitted one this morning. I have fitted the battery positive to earth, which I *think* is correct. Fairly sure they work either way, there being nothing polarised in em at all. Even the dynamo will work 'backwards' as it relies on a bit of field current to kick it into play: if that is backwards, chances are it will start up revers polarity as well! ISTR 'flashing' dynamos to get them to prioduce DC in teh other direction. Anyway, if the battery charges when its running, you are there. I cant think of any semiconductors IN that era of car. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In message , John Stumbles
writes On Mon, 05 May 2008 17:04:52 +0100, Graeme wrote: I do have a positive earth radio to fit Where do you get one of those these days - or is it of a vintage with the motor? The one I have came from an auto jumble, and is probably the same age as the car (1968), if not older. Strangely, the most difficult part was finding one speaker. No-one, but no-one, seems to sell car speakers in anything other than pairs these days. -- Graeme |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In message , The Natural
Philosopher writes Graeme wrote: In message , George writes Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Radio? What is this modern invention of which you speak? :-) No radio, and there wasn't a battery until I fitted one this morning. I have fitted the battery positive to earth, which I *think* is correct. Fairly sure they work either way, there being nothing polarised in em at all. Even the dynamo will work 'backwards' as it relies on a bit of field current to kick it into play: if that is backwards, chances are it will start up revers polarity as well! ISTR 'flashing' dynamos to get them to prioduce DC in teh other direction. Anyway, if the battery charges when its running, you are there. I cant think of any semiconductors IN that era of car. ISTR some issue with electrolytic corrosion. Didn't Mr. Ford experiment with changing battery polarity and discovered the bodywork rotted instead of the wiring? regards -- Tim Lamb |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Graeme coughed up some electrons that declared:
Whoops! My mistake - I should have clarified. Not a Mini Traveller, a Morris Minor traveller, but, yes, fairly basic. Two glove boxes, one either side of the speedo - the one on the passenger side even has a drop down flap! Ah, that brings back memories... Have you *ever* seen the oil filter bypass warning light come on on one of those (Second amber light on speedo dial)? BTW - if you need a valve spring compressor, I may have just found one during a house clearance... Cheers Tim |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
The message
from John Stumbles contains these words: I do have a positive earth radio to fit Where do you get one of those these days - or is it of a vintage with the motor? I had an either/or that I adjusted to the other polarity for my brother-in-law to fit in his car but he never fitted it. I rather think I junked it when he gave it back to me 10 years or so later. Perhaps I should have kept it. Given my appalling memory perhaps I did. ;-( -- Roger Chapman |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Graeme wrote:
In message , writes connect a multimeter or lightbulb from each battery terminal in turn to the chassis. The terminal that lights is the oposite one to the one connected to the chassis. Doesn't that pre suppose that the battery is already fitted? There hasn't been a battery in the vehicle for nine years, and now I've forgotten which way it goes. Yes, I know I should have labelled it before removing the old battery, but, at that time, storage was supposed to be temporary, and short term ... -- Graeme Yes, I did presuppose that, wrongly I now see. If no battery one could fit a totally flat battery and push start it, and it will charge it. If its charging the wrong polarity, reversing the battery will help it perform & last as well as designed. Re pos earth radios, in principle its not hard to use a neg earth radio in a pos earth vehicle, the main deal is to mount it with radio case insulated from chassis and break the aerial screen at the end near the aerial. Thick robust plastic film helps insulate the case. But of course I'm sure you'll want a real period radio, not a modern neg earther. NT |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
wrote in message Re pos earth radios, in principle its not hard to use a neg earth radio in a pos earth vehicle, the main deal is to mount it with radio case insulated from chassis and break the aerial screen at the end near the aerial. Thick robust plastic film helps insulate the case. But of course I'm sure you'll want a real period radio, not a modern neg earther. NT Can I have some of what your're on? |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote: Even the dynamo will work 'backwards' as it relies on a bit of field current to kick it into play: if that is backwards, chances are it will start up revers polarity as well! Not so - the reminance only allows generation of one polarity. To change the polarity you have to pass the wanted polarity through the field windings. Usual way is to wipe a live wire across the field terminal. -- *Caution: I drive like you do. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
Graeme wrote: In message , John Stumbles writes On Mon, 05 May 2008 17:04:52 +0100, Graeme wrote: I do have a positive earth radio to fit Where do you get one of those these days - or is it of a vintage with the motor? The one I have came from an auto jumble, and is probably the same age as the car (1968), if not older. Strangely, the most difficult part was finding one speaker. No-one, but no-one, seems to sell car speakers in anything other than pairs these days. Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. Other thing with speakers is finding one of the correct size these days to fit the mounting - although I don't think the Minor had one. -- *There's two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither one works * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
Tim Lamb wrote: ISTR some issue with electrolytic corrosion. Didn't Mr. Ford experiment with changing battery polarity and discovered the bodywork rotted instead of the wiring? IIRC, all cars started out negative earth. IIRC again the change to positive earth was said to improve points and plug life. But of course many makers never did change. Silicon semiconductors made the change back to negative earth desirable. -- *If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked? Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article
, wrote: Re pos earth radios, in principle its not hard to use a neg earth radio in a pos earth vehicle, the main deal is to mount it with radio case insulated from chassis and break the aerial screen at the end near the aerial. That's one way to make sure the aerial performs poorly. The trimmer found on most older sets for AM reception won't work with no screen. A better way is to insulate the aerial mounting. But better still to change the car's polarity. It's a simple enough matter. -- *Born free - taxed to death * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
"Dave Plowman (News)" writes: Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. My parents had one of those. I think it was originally in an Armstrong Sidley, but I first recall it in the Vauxhall Victor my father transplanted it to. Had a dashboard part the size of today's car radios, linked with a thick multiway cable to a large metal box in the passenger footwell which had the bulk of the circuitry in it. Probably about 8 valves (2 in the dash part). There was a vibrator in it to generate AC to transform up to ~300V. This was in a plug-in can as it wore out and needed replacing from time to time. Of course, they were no longer available, so I kept it going until it really had no contacts left at all. When it was on its way out, you had to kick the radio to get the vibrator going! Eventually I built a transistor osciallator to replace it. When the Vauxhall Victor went to the scrap yard, I rescued the radio and used it in my bedroom for a while, but I've no idea where it is now; I suspect it was thrown out at some stage. It drew the best part of 10A which made it rather difficult to power at the time, outside of a car. -- Andrew Gabriel [email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup] |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
On 5 May, 13:17, "George" wrote:
"Graeme" wrote in message ... Been playing with my '68 Traveller this morning, and finally got the engine running, but I'm still not sure whether it is positive or negative earth. *It was positive earth when it left the factory, and I'm fairly sure has never been changed to negative, but how can I tell, just by looking at it? *The coil has been changed, and that will work either way round. *There are no helpful stickers, the no battery, until I fitted one this morning. The engine runs, and the ignition light went out, so that answers my question? -- Graeme Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Also feel if the heater fan is blowing or sucking, that is if the wires were changed round when the polarity was changed. Trevor Smith |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
George wrote:
wrote in message Re pos earth radios, in principle its not hard to use a neg earth radio in a pos earth vehicle, the main deal is to mount it with radio case insulated from chassis and break the aerial screen at the end near the aerial. Thick robust plastic film helps insulate the case. But of course I'm sure you'll want a real period radio, not a modern neg earther. NT Can I have some of what your're on? Which part of running a neg earth radio on a pos earth car do you think is so difficult? NT |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
wrote in message ... George wrote: wrote in message Re pos earth radios, in principle its not hard to use a neg earth radio in a pos earth vehicle, the main deal is to mount it with radio case insulated from chassis and break the aerial screen at the end near the aerial. Thick robust plastic film helps insulate the case. But of course I'm sure you'll want a real period radio, not a modern neg earther. NT Can I have some of what your're on? Which part of running a neg earth radio on a pos earth car do you think is so difficult? NT The one were it says...hello, puff of white smoke. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , The Natural Philosopher writes Graeme wrote: In message , George writes Normally looking at the battery terminals should reveal its polarity or looking at the radio terminals?. Radio? What is this modern invention of which you speak? :-) No radio, and there wasn't a battery until I fitted one this morning. I have fitted the battery positive to earth, which I *think* is correct. Fairly sure they work either way, there being nothing polarised in em at all. Even the dynamo will work 'backwards' as it relies on a bit of field current to kick it into play: if that is backwards, chances are it will start up revers polarity as well! ISTR 'flashing' dynamos to get them to prioduce DC in teh other direction. Anyway, if the battery charges when its running, you are there. I cant think of any semiconductors IN that era of car. ISTR some issue with electrolytic corrosion. Didn't Mr. Ford experiment with changing battery polarity and discovered the bodywork rotted instead of the wiring? and thus invented planned obsolescence? :-) regards |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes In article , Graeme wrote: The one I have came from an auto jumble, and is probably the same age as the car (1968), if not older. Strangely, the most difficult part was finding one speaker. No-one, but no-one, seems to sell car speakers in anything other than pairs these days. Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. I didn't realise that - thanks. My Dad's Wolseley 1500 had a valve radio, which was fine, but took a couple of miles to warm up. Other thing with speakers is finding one of the correct size these days to fit the mounting - although I don't think the Minor had one. Indeed. I found a suitable speaker, complete with plastic housing, at a boot sale. Will probably mount it below the front parcel shelf. -- Graeme |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
Andrew Gabriel andrew@a17 wrote: Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. My parents had one of those. I think it was originally in an Armstrong Sidley, but I first recall it in the Vauxhall Victor my father transplanted it to. Had a dashboard part the size of today's car radios, linked with a thick multiway cable to a large metal box in the passenger footwell which had the bulk of the circuitry in it. Probably about 8 valves (2 in the dash part). [snip] Radiomobile made an all in one valve radio - a masterpiece of packaging, considering it included push button tuning which was a mechanical system moving inductors. In the early '60s I found a Bluespot valve FM radio in a breaker's yard and fitted it to my MG. Had to convert it from 6 volts. That was a two piece one - I doubt you could have packaged that into a standard case. -- *I yell because I care Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Graeme wrote:
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes In article , Graeme wrote: The one I have came from an auto jumble, and is probably the same age as the car (1968), if not older. Strangely, the most difficult part was finding one speaker. No-one, but no-one, seems to sell car speakers in anything other than pairs these days. Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. I didn't realise that - thanks. My Dad's Wolseley 1500 had a valve radio, which was fine, but took a couple of miles to warm up. Well they ARE polarity sensitive, but they need a high voltage inverter to get the HT and many of those were NOT polarity sensitive. Other thing with speakers is finding one of the correct size these days to fit the mounting - although I don't think the Minor had one. Indeed. I found a suitable speaker, complete with plastic housing, at a boot sale. Will probably mount it below the front parcel shelf. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote: Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. I didn't realise that - thanks. My Dad's Wolseley 1500 had a valve radio, which was fine, but took a couple of miles to warm up. Well they ARE polarity sensitive, but they need a high voltage inverter to get the HT and many of those were NOT polarity sensitive. Talk about nit picking. Many electronic devices are polarity sensitive within the appliance - you often get a mixture of PNP and NPN transistors for example. Even within the same chip. But what matters to 'us' is the external polarity. Oh - if you really want to nitpick, modern electronic inverters are available to replace the original vibrator for some makes - and these *are* polarity sensitive... -- *How about "never"? Is "never" good for you? Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , The Natural Philosopher wrote: Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. I didn't realise that - thanks. My Dad's Wolseley 1500 had a valve radio, which was fine, but took a couple of miles to warm up. Well they ARE polarity sensitive, but they need a high voltage inverter to get the HT and many of those were NOT polarity sensitive. Talk about nit picking. Many electronic devices are polarity sensitive within the appliance - you often get a mixture of PNP and NPN transistors for example. Even within the same chip. But what matters to 'us' is the external polarity. Oh - if you really want to nitpick, modern electronic inverters are available to replace the original vibrator for some makes - and these *are* polarity sensitive... Arr, Yewl never beat a proper vibrator..these New fangled electronics don't give my missus the same buzz at all. |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message ... Dave Plowman (News) wrote: In article , The Natural Philosopher wrote: Of course you could fit a valve radio - these aren't polarity sensitive. I didn't realise that - thanks. My Dad's Wolseley 1500 had a valve radio, which was fine, but took a couple of miles to warm up. Well they ARE polarity sensitive, but they need a high voltage inverter to get the HT and many of those were NOT polarity sensitive. Talk about nit picking. Many electronic devices are polarity sensitive within the appliance - you often get a mixture of PNP and NPN transistors for example. Even within the same chip. But what matters to 'us' is the external polarity. Oh - if you really want to nitpick, modern electronic inverters are available to replace the original vibrator for some makes - and these *are* polarity sensitive... Arr, Yewl never beat a proper vibrator..these New fangled electronics don't give my missus the same buzz at all. Damn! your missus is behind the times...they have hands free ones now,bit like a wankel engine but with the thing on a rod. ;-) |
(Possibly OT) Positive or Negative earth?
On Wed, 7 May 2008 18:30:02 UTC, "George"
wrote: Arr, Yewl never beat a proper vibrator..these New fangled electronics don't give my missus the same buzz at all. Damn! your missus is behind the times...they have hands free ones now,bit like a wankel engine but with the thing on a rod. ;-) http://www.sybian.com/sybian_details.html -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by http://www.diybanter.com |
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