Battery/Charger/Alternator

[CWilson]

I messed up somewhere along the line I think. Is it possible to have a 12v neg alternator and a 6v battery? (Cause that's what I have set up right now) The 6v battery explains why my 12v battery charger wouldn't charge it.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I would disconnect the wire from the alternator then check the alternator output voltage and which way it's grounded. Either match the battery to it, or change the generator/alternator to match the battery.

[CWilson]

Alternator is stamped 12v neg.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by CWilson

Alternator is stamped 12v neg.

But some have been switched to 6 volt positive ground and had a label applied which may have fallen off.

[CWilson]

What happens if you have a 6v battery and a 12v alternator?

[Willie Krash]

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Your car will smell like rotting eggs as you drive. You'll gas the battery. Might even blow it up, or it could swell so bad that the case cracks.
Think about hooking your table saw up to 220V..

[CWilson]

What if I have a 6.8v resistor on the alternator?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by CWilson

What if I have a 6.8v resistor on the alternator?

No good!
The voltage must be regulated to match the battery.

[SeaSlugs]

suprised battery hasnt already exploded...

do what tom said about checking the output of the alternator to see exactly what its putting out. if its 12V go get a 12V battery, their like $40 from a farm store...or wait for sulfur and hydrogen gasses not to mention battery acid to come out of your battery if it doesnt blow up thru the floor board.

Ive been driving an electric cushman (has 6 12V batteries) when one internally shorted and blew up directly under my butt, thank god the seat bottom was 3/4" plywood, left a pretty big dent in the wood. Still hurt like getting hit with a paddle though. not to mention it was loud with earplugs in and acid was raining everywhere.

[CWilson]

Ok, thanks guys. I'll check it this weekend.

[CWilson]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I would disconnect the wire from the alternator then check the alternator output voltage and which way it's grounded. Either match the battery to it, or change the generator/alternator to match the battery.

Which wire do I check?

[MikeK]

You have a Delco 10DN with an external Transpo transistor conversion regulator. These were made for both 6+ and 12-. From the look of the reg wire color coding it appears to be a 6+ conversion, but I could be wrong. You can still buy those regulators!: LINK
Like most 6+ conversions the set point is way too high.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Check the voltage at the stud with the aqua colored terminal.

[jax55]

Ditto to MikeK.

[Willie Krash]

D7010 is an obsolete number but probably 6V (D7011). It look like it is is set up for positive ground and should be adjustable.There is a pot under the body of the regulator.

[CWilson]

I checked the voltage coming out of the alternator, and it's 6v. So the problem is that I was stupid, and trying to charge a 6v battery with a 12v charger. Thanks for the help all. I've got a 6v charger on the way.

[Tom Wesenberg]

In a pinch you can actually connect a 12 volt bulb in series with the battery charger cable connected to a 6 volt battery. The bulb will drop the voltage and current to a safe charging level, but the best way is to buy a 6/12 volt 5 or 6 amp battery charger with a meter.

[41 Ford Pickup]

I have a 1941 Ford pickup that is 6V Positive ground. I have a 12V charger, but I am going to buy a 6V charger.

Does it matter to the charger if the truck is Positive or Negative ground? Do you hook up the charger cables differently?

Any recommendations as to a good charger to buy?

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by 41 Ford Pickup

I have a 1941 Ford pickup that is 6V Positive ground. I have a 12V charger, but I am going to buy a 6V charger.

Does it matter to the charger if the truck is Positive or Negative ground? Do you hook up the charger cables differently?

Any recommendations as to a good charger to buy?

Sorry pal you can't high jack a thread and you should be on the V8 forum. Wayne

[Big hammer]

No it doesn't matter! + or- ground! You need to determine what you have and connect the charger + to ground or - to ground

Charger positive to the battery positive