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-   -   6 volt positive ground signal light question (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349731)

benbuilder 06-07-2025 04:24 PM

6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

2 Attachment(s)
I just got a truck with no signal lights.
no cowl lights. 6 volt, positive ground.
I bought some motorcycle 6 volt lights to use as signal lights.
I bought this aftermarket switch to install from speedway 910-62860.
I intend to use signal lights independent of the brake light. So no connection to the factory harness.
My question is. Do i connect the RED to the positive of the battery or the negative of the battery?
The second image shows it going to the + of the battery. but this may be for a negative ground application?
I have spent hours on line looking.

I know, stupid question.

meteorgray 06-07-2025 04:28 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

I would connect the red power feed to the negative battery post.

mercman from oz 06-07-2025 04:32 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1749331224

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1749331224

nkaminar 06-07-2025 07:18 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

Since this will be a completely independent system, run the red lead to the positive side of the battery and the ground to the negative side of the battery. The problem is going to be that you will have to run separate grounds for the lights and connect those to the negative side of the turn indicators. You will have to isolate the light by using a sheet of rubber or other insulating material and nylon bolts.

The flasher is the part of the turn indicator system that may be polarity sensitive. If you run the red (+) lead to the negative side of the battery then you could reverse the X and L terminals of the flasher. Get a spare flasher in case you burn out one. The other parts of the system that may be polarity sensitive are the lights. If they are LED's they will not work with reverse polarity.

Clarification: If the flasher is electronic it will be polarity sensitive.

You can change the polarity of your car quite easily. The only thing that will care is the generator. You can fix that by sparking the generator terminal with a wire run from the terminal on the starter switch. But if you have the electronic cutout you will have to change that out to the correct polarity.

benbuilder 06-07-2025 08:32 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

The flasher is the part of the turn indicator system that may be polarity sensitive. If you run the red (+) lead to the negative side of the battery then you could reverse the X and L terminals of the flasher. Get a spare flasher in case you burn out one. The other parts of the system that may be polarity sensitive are the lights. If they are LED's they will not work with reverse polarity.

THIS IS, IN MY OPINION THE BEST WAY TO GO. THEY ARE NOT LEDS. AND I WILL ORDER AN ADDITIONAL FLASHER

THANKS

Kurt in NJ 06-07-2025 08:49 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

I bought lights that flash without a flasher they flash sequentially too.
I am using them on the model T — front have parking and turn,rear have brake parking and turn—- originally just kerosene and no brake lights
under 20$ a pair of.

ModelA29 06-07-2025 10:58 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

The system should work by just hooking the + lead to the - terminal on the car. LEDs are polarity sensitive but not filament bulbs. The flasher shouldn't be polarity sensitive either. It has a bimetal strip in it with contacts. As the current flows through it it gets hot and warps breaking the contact. It then cools and makes contact again - making the lights flash. LEDs do not draw enough current to heat the strip which is why you need to use an electronic flasher with LEDs.
You won't even need to wire it through the ignition switch since it will only draw current when the stalk is moved for R or L turn.

ModelA29 06-07-2025 11:02 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ (Post 2393644)
I bought lights that flash without a flasher they flash sequentially too.
I am using them on the model T — front have parking and turn,rear have brake parking and turn—- originally just kerosene and no brake lights
under 20$ a pair of.

Were they LED 6V + ground? I've only been able to find 12V - ground ones.

Badpuppy 06-08-2025 10:52 AM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29 (Post 2393652)
The system should work by just hooking the + lead to the - terminal on the car. LEDs are polarity sensitive but not filament bulbs. The flasher shouldn't be polarity sensitive either. It has a bimetal strip in it with contacts. As the current flows through it it gets hot and warps breaking the contact. It then cools and makes contact again - making the lights flash. LEDs do not draw enough current to heat the strip which is why you need to use an electronic flasher with LEDs.
You won't even need to wire it through the ignition switch since it will only draw current when the stalk is moved for R or L turn.

Caveat - Most flashers these days are made with a transistor inside making them polarity sensitive. 99% are negative ground only and won't work with positive ground. Check the vendors for the proper flasher to use without isolating the bulb sockets.

Here's one -https://vintageautogarage.com/6-volt-flasher-110252/?searchid=1418407&search_query=535+flasher

Ayers1 06-08-2025 08:19 PM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

The instructions are telling you to hook to the "hot" side of the battery. In this case it is the negative side. If you have LEDs, you will need to get an electronic 6volt, positive ground flasher. I bought mine earlier this year from Snyders. It should work fine.

benbuilder 06-21-2025 07:17 AM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

I think i need some help. I am going backwards. I feel so stupid. I should know better.
6 volt positive ground truck.
I started to install signal lights in the car.
I have a double pole switch to go left/off/right. This is installed.
I installed two rear 6 volt lights to be used as signal lights.
I did not install the fronts yet.
I have a fuse at the battery. Fuse was removed.
I ran the positive lead from the signal lights to the switch.
I grounded the base of the signal lights to a good ground.
I was going to test my work so far.
I had the feed to the signal switch in my had and was going to ground it or i did ground it, i dont know. But the second i installed the fuse it burned out. I quickly removed it.
I disconnected all my work and installed a fuse. I have power on one side of the fuse but not on the other.
i have tried 3 fuses.
Any thoughts on getting power back?
I can worry about the signal lights after

benbuilder 06-21-2025 09:19 AM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

I disconnected many wires and slowly started to put them back on line and came to the alternator that is probably bad. all other wires connected do not blow a fuse. when i put the alt on line the wire sparks and i am sure wants to blow a fuse.

I will replace that then start over

nkaminar 06-21-2025 11:16 AM

Re: 6 volt positive ground signal light question
 

Good find. Well done. You get the electrical engineer gold badge.


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