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Converting positive ground to neg ground

To: list <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Subject: Converting positive ground to neg ground
From: Mark Dent <stickerman@home.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 22:15:36 -0400
I need a quick fix for my alt problem, so I can drive this weekend.  I have 
a few late alternators but they are negative ground.  I was looking at a 
Triumph site for a conversion.  I have pasted the steps below.  can it be 
that easy?  Swap a few wires, and install a different alt?  I am just 
looking for a fix by Sunday.  Any ideas?  here are the steps:

There is an article in the April 1993 issue of British Car summarizing this 
conversion - the following is a summary of the important points, with 
additions based on the experience of VTR members.
Remove the battery
If you have a radio, remove it.
Remove the central panel in dash and reverse the wires connected to the 
Ammeter. Replace panel.
If you have an electrical fuel pump (non-original on TR-4), and it's a late 
model SU with a diode across the points rather than a condenser, reverse 
the connections to the diode.
Connect the (-) post of the coil to the wire going to the distributor, the 
(+) post to the wire going to the ignition switch.
Replace the battery, with the terminals reversed. If you are using the car 
as a daily driver, I'd strongly recommend that you replace both the ground 
strap and the positive lead going to the starter solenoid with new cables. 
It's cheap, and will give you a better connection, which means more 
reliable starting.
Disconnect the two leads to the generator. Temporarily connect one end of a 
length of wire to the positive terminal of the battery. Touch the other end 
of the wire to the F terminal on the generator (the one the smaller lead is 
connected to, wire is brown with green stripe) several times briefly. This 
repolarises the field windings so you get the proper output.
Reconnect the two leads to the generator.
That's it - all the electrical devices on the car will now work like 
normal. You can install a new negative-ground radio, or other electrical 
accessories. I put in an electric windshield washer pump - much better than 
pushing that stupid button! Feel free to ask the VTR mailing list if you 
have any questions.


Mark
Baltimore Maryland
1964 1500       1968 1600
http://www.datsunroadsters.com
http://www.roadster.org

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