Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Topic author
Michael Davis
Posts: 297
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 8:18 pm
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Davis
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Center door
Location: Montrose CO

Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Michael Davis » Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:11 pm

Thanks Mike
Attachments
20191019_115419.jpg
Top
User avatar

RajoRacer
Posts: 4348
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Tomaso
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
Location: Longbranch, WA
MTFCA Number: 14972
MTFCI Number: 15411
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:13 pm

Originally negative ground.
Top
User avatar

RajoRacer
Posts: 4348
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Tomaso
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
Location: Longbranch, WA
MTFCA Number: 14972
MTFCI Number: 15411
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:14 pm

Nice looking Runabout too !
Top

Moxie26
Posts: 1347
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Jablonski
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: New Jersey
MTFCA Number: 407
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Moxie26 » Fri Nov 01, 2019 8:08 pm

Positively... Negative ground.
Top
User avatar

TonyB
Posts: 663
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Tony
Last Name: Bowker
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 touring
Location: La Mesa, CA
MTFCA Number: 32
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by TonyB » Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:26 pm

———
Tony Bowker
La Mesa, California
1914 Touring, 1915 Speedster, 1924 Coupe.
Top
User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6492
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:
Contact Steve Jelf

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:36 pm

March 1922 to 1927 Wiring Diagram.jpg
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
Top
User avatar

Matt in California
Posts: 726
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:42 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: G
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring, 1926 Fordor Project, TT C-cab flatbed farm field find, TT dump truck project
Location: California
MTFCA Number: 30697

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Matt in California » Sat Nov 02, 2019 12:00 am

A while back I did some research and found the following:
Why a Positive ground?

For early cars with varnished cloth wires would absorb moisture and cause corrosion. It was found that reversing the polarity would actually reduce corrosion.

Why a Negative ground?

After plastic coating of wires was common and the transistor was desired. Electronics industry standardized NPN (Negative-Positive-Negative) transistors.

So Ford Ts were based on the original thought that electrons flow from positive to negative and we should turn off the positive. In reality the electrons flow from negative to positive an evidently that can cause a issue to leave the charge across the ground creating corrosion so Model A went to positive ground. Does anyone know when for switched back?

Enjoy,
Matt
Top

Topic author
Michael Davis
Posts: 297
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 8:18 pm
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Davis
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Center door
Location: Montrose CO

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Michael Davis » Sat Nov 02, 2019 8:50 am

Thanks
Top

Moxie26
Posts: 1347
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Jablonski
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: New Jersey
MTFCA Number: 407
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Moxie26 » Sat Nov 02, 2019 11:00 am

Ford returned to using the negative ground system in 1956 and also 12 volt batteries
Top
User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4962
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Mark Gregush » Sat Nov 02, 2019 12:43 pm

Unless you are running a diode or modern voltage regulator, the T does not care what ground you are using as long as the meter is hooked up right. The old books said to reverse the leads every so often on non generator cars to even the points wear if running them on battery. Mechanical cutouts don't care what ground is used as long the generator is polarized to that ground.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
Top

Scott_Conger
Posts: 6435
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Ford Model T +++ or ---- Ground ???

Post by Scott_Conger » Sat Nov 02, 2019 6:17 pm

Michael

that is a very nice looking car
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Top
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “General Discussion Forum”