The Ford Barn

Canton_Model_A's · 03-26-2024, 08:03 AM

Here is an interesting question. the Previous owner who did the 12v conversion on my 1929 put it to Negative Ground. My question is, how hard is it to put it back to Positive ground?

I took a look at my 'A' yesterday to confirm. Should I just leave it like this or attempt the conversion back to Positive ground from Negative.

Thanks!

Ruth · 03-26-2024, 08:32 AM

Normally when a car is converted to 12v it is also converted negative ground. I would leave it as is.

Badpuppy · 03-26-2024, 08:57 AM

12V Negative ground is more up-to-date. Makes the A compatible with modern add-ons. There's no advantage to positive ground, unless you're going for originality. And then you have to change back to 6V, which would be a pain. I agree with Ruth, leave as-is.

Canton_Model_A's · 03-26-2024, 09:03 AM

ok Will follow the advice here from the experts as I am not. Thank you

Kurt in NJ · 03-26-2024, 09:06 AM

It depends on what modifications were made, what does it have for generator/ alternator?

Canton_Model_A's · 03-26-2024, 09:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

it has from what I gather, an AC Delco Alternator, LED turn signals, LED brake lights, standard incandescent headlights now (converted back from sealed beam)

nkaminar · 03-26-2024, 12:02 PM

This raises more questions than it answers. Why would you want positive ground? Do you also want to convert it back to 6 volts (at great expense)? Has the starter motor been converted over to 12 volts (all field windings in series)?

Regarding the headlights: Do you drive at night often? If so you could consider the self focusing LED lamps or converting over to halogen lamps (that the alternator will handle OK but the light switch may not).

Canton_Model_A's · 03-26-2024, 12:15 PM

From the starter prospective, I can't answer, but I would assume it was. Headlights, I sometimes do drive it at night, but not so often. I de-converted from Sealed-Beam back to the original style bulbs, and put period correct onto the car.

If there is no need to go back to Positve-Ground keeping it negative ground is fine by me

ModelA29 · 03-26-2024, 03:30 PM

LEDs are diodes so they have specific + - power path not like a regular bulb.

Y-Blockhead · 03-26-2024, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

LEDs are diodes so they have specific + - power path not like a regular bulb.

The new LogoLites LED headlghts that nkaminar refers to are both + or -, 6v or 12v compatable.

Flathead · 03-26-2024, 06:05 PM

Leave it negative ground, you are past the point of no return.

spdway1 · 03-28-2024, 10:57 PM

What are you looking to achieve?

jetrod · 03-29-2024, 12:33 AM

I see no reaon to convert to 12 volt, I use 6 volt to run my GPS. That is all I need. JR

03-26-2024, 08:03 AM	#1
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive Here is an interesting question. the Previous owner who did the 12v conversion on my 1929 put it to Negative Ground. My question is, how hard is it to put it back to Positive ground? I took a look at my 'A' yesterday to confirm. Should I just leave it like this or attempt the conversion back to Positive ground from Negative. Thanks! __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

03-26-2024, 08:32 AM	#2
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive Normally when a car is converted to 12v it is also converted negative ground. I would leave it as is. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

03-26-2024, 08:57 AM	#3
Badpuppy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Guthrie, OK Posts: 1,145	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive 12V Negative ground is more up-to-date. Makes the A compatible with modern add-ons. There's no advantage to positive ground, unless you're going for originality. And then you have to change back to 6V, which would be a pain. I agree with Ruth, leave as-is.

03-26-2024, 09:03 AM	#4
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive ok Will follow the advice here from the experts as I am not. Thank you __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

03-26-2024, 09:06 AM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive It depends on what modifications were made, what does it have for generator/ alternator?

03-26-2024, 09:13 AM	#6
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) it has from what I gather, an AC Delco Alternator, LED turn signals, LED brake lights, standard incandescent headlights now (converted back from sealed beam) __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

03-26-2024, 12:02 PM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive This raises more questions than it answers. Why would you want positive ground? Do you also want to convert it back to 6 volts (at great expense)? Has the starter motor been converted over to 12 volts (all field windings in series)? Regarding the headlights: Do you drive at night often? If so you could consider the self focusing LED lamps or converting over to halogen lamps (that the alternator will handle OK but the light switch may not). __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-26-2024, 12:15 PM	#8
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive From the starter prospective, I can't answer, but I would assume it was. Headlights, I sometimes do drive it at night, but not so often. I de-converted from Sealed-Beam back to the original style bulbs, and put period correct onto the car. If there is no need to go back to Positve-Ground keeping it negative ground is fine by me __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

03-26-2024, 03:30 PM	#9
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 591	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive LEDs are diodes so they have specific + - power path not like a regular bulb.

03-26-2024, 06:05 PM	#11
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,499	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive Leave it negative ground, you are past the point of no return.

03-28-2024, 10:57 PM	#12
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive What are you looking to achieve?

03-29-2024, 12:33 AM	#13
jetrod Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central NC Posts: 68	Re: Convert 1929 from Negative Ground back to Positive I see no reaon to convert to 12 volt, I use 6 volt to run my GPS. That is all I need. JR