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MGA MGA Charging system

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ronzet

ronzet

Jedi Knight
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It has been a while since I last visited this forum and 'Wow' has it changed...Looks good Basil.

Anyway, up to my eyeballs in wiring harness for my frame off '57 MGA. I purchased a new generator from Victoria British only to find that it is set up for NEGATIVE (-)ground and as we all know, MGAs are set up for positive.

So now the query. Can I modify the generator to work with a positive ground or should I just return it and buy one (+) from elsewhere??

Advice appreciated..

By the way.. the reason that I know it is set up for negative ground is the warning etched into the casing of the generator.. 'Negative Ground'...
 
Steve,

Sooo... I can use this generator, polarize it once installed and the electrons will be going in the right direction without melting my rather expensive electrical wiring and components???

Just to be anal retentive about it... Why the label that indicates a negative ground???

Thanks...
 
Correct, sir. Alternators can't be changed, but generators can go back and forth all day. I don't know why they would bother to put a negative ground sticker on the generator. What it should be is a tag that reminds the user to polarize it after installation. Even if it's already been polarized for testing at the factory, it should be done again when installed into a car.

I have one generator which acts as a spare for three cars. Two are positive ground and one is negative. No problem. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Steve,

A wealth of knowledge!!!

Thanks for your comments... Now, where did I put that wiring diagram???

Ron
 
Why not set the car up as negative ground?

Less trouble with modern accessories that way.
 
I have no modern accessories, so I have no reason to change. I just want them all the same so I don't have to think about it when I work on them.

However I do agree with Bill that if you plan to install a new radio or other modern equipment, negative ground is a better way to go.
 
Bill,

Thanks for your comment. I am 'positive' that I will be leaving my A with a positive ground...

Looking at your 'stable' list I must ponder HOW you manage all of those cars. I only have two (57 A and 66 B) of my own and one (58 100-6) that is my business partner's that take up way too much time...

My hat is off to you my friend... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

Ron
 
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