HOW TO CHANGE POSITIVE EARTH TO NEGATIVE EARTH?

kevlight, Mar 16, 4:02am
Just noticed while charging the Viva's battery that it is positive earth,don't like it ,not used to this system; Is there a way of changing the earth straps and positive straps from the battery, around safely!
You will have to give me a link, or blow by blow instuctions, as wood is my thing ,not mechanicals,although I have tools, its the knowledge I lack ;Help thanks, Regards Kev
afer_daily, Mar 16, 4:14am
why !i can understand be cause of all modern electronics / but other than that . why !
lovemore_mbigi, Mar 16, 4:51am
Google it. The process is dead easy and involves reversing polarity on the generator.Watch out though if you have an original spec tachometer and ammeter installed - these were designed to run off pos earth.

Switching polarity makes it possible to fit an alternator and modern sound system.
toyboy3, Mar 16, 6:08am
If you do not get it right smoke will appearand it is hard to get the smoke back in ,
also the ignition coil needs rewiring or hard starting will occur
robotnik, Mar 16, 6:21am
Will positive earth also make the car rust faster!
r15, Mar 16, 6:37am
lol

or leak oil!
leaking oil and positive earth appear to go hand in hand
illusion_, Mar 16, 7:03am
dont forget to change the simple stuff . like the STARTER NOTOR
pdc1, Mar 16, 7:13am
Might pay to follow your own advice and stick to the simple stuff
sgrants, Mar 16, 7:42am
Easy job! swap coil - and + over, disconnect generator wires swap battery - and + over using a lead from battery + flash it a few times on to the "field " terminal (the small one) on the generator. plug wires back on to generator and away you go! Starter motor wipers will still operate the same, might have to swap the wiring over on heater fan motor!
The flashing the generator is to polarise the field coils should get a nice blue white arc while doing that, if you don't polarise it can blow the contacts of the regulator as it will try to charge in the Negative!
intrade, Mar 16, 8:03am
no its noteasy every electric part is wrong and could cause more problem then you wish for.you can fit a new stereo by insulatingit from the car body way more easy then to change the whole polarity round.
As far as i can seeall you need to make sure no metal part of a car radio amp etc tutches the + of the car body is the only real concern to have.a good audio installerswould sure have the know-how and tricks.
socram, Mar 16, 8:36am
I think that if you research it, you may find that some believed that the positive earth system did indeed lead to faster corrosion, but leaking oil was the Brit system of ongoing oil changes without getting your hands dirty - just the driveway.

#9 has it.It was quite popular to convert from pos earth to neg earth once the alternator became a standard fitment and all car accessories then came out as neg earth as standard.Many components don't really care which polarity as long as they get a positive and a negative feed, such as lights.

Others need the wires swapping over.
franc123, Mar 16, 10:23am
Crap.All you have to do on a car like a Viva is what #9 posted.The only other think I can think of is that the battery terminals should be changed as obviously they are different sizes between + and negative.
socram, Mar 16, 2:09pm
Agree. On older cars the battery terminals were often the same size.Modern batteries - which the Viva probably now has - definitely will need the terminals swapping, though I suspect a lot of older cars are running with ill fitting terminals on at least one battery post!
sr2, Mar 16, 4:02pm
+1 Did quite a few conversions in the old days. The only items that may need the polarity reversed (wires swapped over) are heater and cooling (if fitted) fans, petrol gauge, amp meter and any electronic gauges.
yeahm8, Mar 20, 10:56pm
Easy peasy job to do and as what was mentioned about stereo instalation, you will need one of these items as well to make sure the the currant is flowing correctly.

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php!main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=28
ralphdog1, Mar 21, 7:31am
All correct except you do not need to swap the coil + & - over, coils are not polarity sensitive. It is just the markings on coils were different for+ve and -ve earthed cars. If you do swap them it will still run, however the spark will be weaker, something which you may or may not notice.
franc123, Mar 21, 12:53pm
LOL, thats the precise reason why the connections need swapping.
kevlight, Aug 26, 2:04am
thank to most ; not sure about the Flux thingy,probable not much use at 80kays flat stick;
the information is a great help;

Will try Rhodes Garage at Temuka,
or Geraldine Auto Restore

is there any one in Timaru that can Do Compliance work
pre inspection to help get this vehicle back on the road

Rego and wof is whatim hoping for within budget

car was rego in late 70s; has number plate and Vin number;and old MOT rego papers ;