This site uses cookies to maintain login information on FarmallCub.Com. Click the X in the banner upper right corner to close this notice. For more information on our privacy policy, visit this link:
Privacy Policy

NEW REGISTERED MEMBERS: Be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folders for the activation email.

Electrical System

The Cub Club -- Questions and answers to all of your Cub related issues.
Forum rules
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
User avatar
badguygitr
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:51 pm
Location: AR, Alma
Contact:

Electrical System

Postby badguygitr » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:26 pm

Ok, My Cub is a 53 with positive ground. The one my buddy bought is a 62 with negative ground. I'm not sure I understand the reason for the positive ground. Can someone give me a short lesson in the reasons for positive ground? I've searched this site but didn't find an answer. Thanks :?: :?: :?:
Badguygitr
Alma, Arkansas
53 Cub / 62 Cub / 2 Woods 42 mowers / disc plow / blade/ 2 sickle mower / drag disc

SPONSOR AD

Sponsor



Sponsor
 

WKPoor
10+ Years
10+ Years

Postby WKPoor » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:40 pm

I don't have the official reason butt I can tell you electrically its makes no difference. Possibly 50yrs ago the standard hadn't been set yet. I think some cars were even pos. grounded back then. Just like any techology in its infancy not everyone aggreed on which way to do it until sometime in the 50's. I'd too would be curious to here some of the replys to this to see what made the industry standardize to neg. gnd. Of course the obvious is for safety and protect equipment from being damaged from improper connections. Electron theory says pos. gnd is actually more correct butt its easier to think in terms the other way around.

User avatar
Bigdog
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 24144
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:50 pm
Zip Code: 43113
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH, Circleville
Contact:

Postby Bigdog » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:42 pm

In reality, either way works just fine. The original 6 volt systems in automobiles were positive ground. There was supposed to be a benefit as far as corrosion of terminals or some similar reason for positive ground. To this day, I've yet to see any definite proof that one way was better than the other. When systems went to 12 volts, they switched to negative ground. I suspect the debate about which way current flows from a battery had a lot to do with it. Some experts theorized current flow was from negative to positive and some theorize the flow was positive to negative. Either way, as long as the system is connected as designed, it should work OK. Even if the older 6 volt systems are reversed, they will work as long as the generator is re-polarized to charge with the opposite polarity and the ammeter is reversed.
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

Image

http://www.cubtug.com

User avatar
George Willer
Cub Pro
Cub Pro
Posts: 7013
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 9:36 pm
Zip Code: 43420
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OHIO, Fremont
Contact:

Postby George Willer » Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:13 pm

Since an electron carries a negative charge, the current flow is from negative to positive. The coil doesn't care which direction the electrons flow but the points do. Since the coil connection determines the flow through the points, it should be connected the same as the battery. Naturally, a magneto doesn't care at all.
George Willer
http://gwill.net

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. Ambrose Bierce

User avatar
Bigdog
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 24144
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:50 pm
Zip Code: 43113
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH, Circleville
Contact:

Postby Bigdog » Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:29 pm

George, I agree with you. But I've heard theories on "hole" flow vs. "electron" flow (although it's been a few years and I probably don't remember much) and it gets a lot of arguments started between engineers and technical people. As you said, the components don't care which direction the flow is in, it's the fact that it flows that counts. Unfortunately, modern electronic equipment does care. (ruined my share of transistors a number of years ago)
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

Image

http://www.cubtug.com

User avatar
badguygitr
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:51 pm
Location: AR, Alma
Contact:

positive ground

Postby badguygitr » Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:32 pm

Ok, I've learned something new today.....Thanks guys.
Badguygitr

Alma, Arkansas

53 Cub / 62 Cub / 2 Woods 42 mowers / disc plow / blade/ 2 sickle mower / drag disc

WKPoor
10+ Years
10+ Years

Postby WKPoor » Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:49 pm

George- It should be pointed out that the points themselves don't care which way current flows but the condenser does and that is what technically breaks current flow in the primary windings.

User avatar
Bigdog
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 24144
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:50 pm
Zip Code: 43113
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH, Circleville
Contact:

Postby Bigdog » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:07 pm

I'm gonna disagree with both of you. The points are a switch and polarity is irrelevant. The condensor is not an electrolytic so it doesn't care what the polarity is either. The coil, should also not be polarity sensitive, but appears from a practical standpoint, to be somewhat sensitive to how it is in the circuit. The coil secondary will produce a high voltage that will either arc from the center electrode of the plug to the leg or vice-versa. That may affect plug life, but not significantly.
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

Image

http://www.cubtug.com

Donny M
10+ Years
10+ Years

Postby Donny M » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:26 pm

I'm going to have to agree with Bigdog on this one. If the cap (condenser) was electrolytic then it would be a problem but reversing the leads would fix it as electrolyic caps have + and - leads. The points are nothing but a switch.

I also agree with George that's why I have 3 Cubs and 5 magnetos.
Last edited by Donny M on Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
badguygitr
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:51 pm
Location: AR, Alma
Contact:

Postby badguygitr » Tue Feb 17, 2004 7:51 pm

Now you guys are trying to confuse me! I better leave it the way it is :D :D :D Thanks.
Badguygitr

Alma, Arkansas

53 Cub / 62 Cub / 2 Woods 42 mowers / disc plow / blade/ 2 sickle mower / drag disc

User avatar
George Willer
Cub Pro
Cub Pro
Posts: 7013
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 9:36 pm
Zip Code: 43420
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OHIO, Fremont
Contact:

Postby George Willer » Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:07 pm

Maybe it's just an old wives' tale, but many say incorrect coil polarity will shorten point life.

I really can't say why this should be true. Could it be because of which side of the points the condenser (paper capacitor) is on?

I learned about electron flow in 7th grade science, in 1946. I never heard of "hole" flow.
George Willer
http://gwill.net

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. Ambrose Bierce

User avatar
parts man
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 619
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2003 9:41 pm
Location: Sussex N.B. Can.
Contact:

Postby parts man » Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:44 pm

I believe it was my high-school mechanics teacher that told me that incorrect coil polarity would shorten the life of the coil. :lol: I guess that theorys are like bottoms,,, every ones got one!! :lol:

I've never heard of "hole flow" either (whole?) . :?:
V.P. of T.S.A. (taking stuff apart)

User avatar
Bigdog
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 24144
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:50 pm
Zip Code: 43113
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH, Circleville
Contact:

Postby Bigdog » Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:51 pm

Hole flow is a theory that was subscribed to by some electrical engineers. Supposedly the movement of electrons left a "hole" that was then filled by the next electron etc. Most looked at it as electron flow from negative to positive. Some said it was hole flow from positive to negative.
When I was in electronics tech school in the 60's we were taught about electron flow and warned about the crazy engineers who believed in hole flow.
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

Image

http://www.cubtug.com

User avatar
George Willer
Cub Pro
Cub Pro
Posts: 7013
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 9:36 pm
Zip Code: 43420
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OHIO, Fremont
Contact:

Postby George Willer » Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:09 pm

It's all clear now. It's like the electrons are driving on a freeway. Just like real life, when they allow a safe "hole" from the electron ahead, another electron gets in it. How'm I doin'?
George Willer
http://gwill.net

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. Ambrose Bierce

User avatar
Bigdog
Team Cub Mentor
Team Cub Mentor
Posts: 24144
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:50 pm
Zip Code: 43113
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: OH, Circleville
Contact:

Postby Bigdog » Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:17 pm

You got it Granddad! 8)
Bigdog
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

My wife says I don't listen to her. - - - - - - - - Or something like that!

Image

http://www.cubtug.com


Return to “Farmall Cub”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests