positive to negative ground

[athenssprite]

Have most of you converted to the negative ground system? I do not plan on adding any additional electrical items. I am dealing with a battery drain caused by a very old voltage regulator. If you have converted, what has been the biggest benefit?

 

[jlaird]

No benefit either way really. Both work and are fine.

 

[Sarastro]

Yes, either way works, as long as you don't add any modern electrical stuff, like a radio or do an alternator conversion. With positive ground, you have to be careful that some unanointed individual doesn't try to jump-start it by hooking up the cables as if it were negative ground.

My suggestion: as soon as you contemplate adding a radio or some such thing, switch to negative ground. Although some such components are available in positive-ground form, many are not, and eventually you may have to convert. You don't want to buy, say, a positive-ground radio, then have to replace it later when you do the conversion.

The only real advantage to positive ground is that it's original. If that's important, fine; if not, I'd suggest converting it. You probably will, eventually.

 

[Pythias]

I have had my car for over a decade. (Yeah, i'm a NOOB) and have NOT changed it over to Negative Earth. The Primary reason FOR is the desire for increased electrical capacity. Bigger headlight loads, and Stereo systems large enough to overcome the "song of the road" created by the Spridget. If one has no plans for more load, then there is no need. The reasons AGAINST are in no particular order (at least on my part) are laziness, intransigency, having to convert the TACH, and an early verion of the CRANE 700. Newer models can be hooked up either way but earlier ones were either/or. I love the song of the road, and have no desire to try to install a stereo louder than that. I don't drive at night if i can avoid it, and i do avoid it. and i think it adds to the "mystique" of the marque to leave it alone, but that is probably delusional self justification.

 

[bugimike]

Personally, I switched over to negative ground on my BE when I ditched the generator for an alternator (Nissan) which also had an integral voltage regulator. It really was a simple conversion with minimal changes required, and the knowledge that I can get or give a jump-start is a big plus, as was eliminating the archaic Lucas regulator.