Battery in backwards what to do now?

[Vic in E-TN]

The battery in a car that I am working on now had a new battery recently installed with negative ground. It started and ran but the ammeter showed negative charge. I am pulling the battery now and installing it positive ground. I have not yet started it up. What else do I have to do to avoid problems?

Thanks
Vic

[redmodelt]

If it has the original style cut out, just flash the generator a couple of times to reset the polarity after the battery is installed.

[Patrick L.]

Check primary coil leads and make sure polarity matches [ + to grd thru the points].

See if it charges when done. If so, good. If not, flash/polarize the generator. It sounds as though the ammeter connections should be fine.

[J Franklin]

Turn it around to + ground and be done with it.

[Vic in E-TN]

I reversed the battery and it showed charge on the ammeter so it should be OK. Did not need to flash the generator. Thanks for the help.

Vic

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Flashing the generator is a good thing to do, just to be sure it has the correct magnetic field in the pole shoes. This should be done any time the generator has been worked on or the battery was installed backwards. It's a good safety measure to do just because the car was not used for years.

[ronn]

someone please explain what "flashing the generator" means?

how is it done- for us novices............

tanks!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by ronn

someone please explain what "flashing the generator" means?

how is it done- for us novices............

tanks!

It's running current through the field windings in the generator, so they have the correct polarity of residual magnetism.
To polarize (flash), you just use a short wire to jump across the two cutout terminals for 1 second.

[ronn]

thank you Tom!

[jhowes]

Be careful when you have a FUN PRODUCTS voltage regulator which is in the cutout case. Flashing will wipe them out ( ask me how I know). The manufacturer does not help you to fix the unit either. Jack

[Fred S]

Originally Posted by jhowes

The manufacturer does not help you to fix the unit either. Jack

I accidently ruined my electronic voltage regulator when I turned off my master cut off switch while the engine was running. I sent it to John Reagan the owner of Fun Projects, and he repaired it for $20.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Flashing the generator is a good thing to do, just to be sure it has the correct magnetic field in the pole shoes. This should be done any time the generator has been worked on or the battery was installed backwards. It's a good safety measure to do just because the car was not used for years.

Tom with your EVR will flaahing harm the EVR? Others have posted that some other's EVR's will be damaged! I have yours this is way I am asking.

[Tom F OHIO]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Tom with your EVR will flaahing harm the EVR? Others have posted that some other's EVR's will be damaged! I have yours this is way I am asking.

I just installed Tom's EVR in my generator and he told me to polarize it. Thats with a standard cutout.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Tom with your EVR will flaahing harm the EVR? Others have posted that some other's EVR's will be damaged! I have yours this is way I am asking.

No problem. Just polarize as normal.
In fact, with the belt off, I ran the generator for several seconds just to give it a good test. But, as mentioned already, one second is all it needs.

[J Franklin]

If the ammeter shows a charge you are done. Why go any farther and maybe cause a problem?

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

No problem. Just polarize as normal.
In fact, with the belt off, I ran the generator for several seconds just to give it a good test. But, as mentioned already, one second is all it needs.

Thank you Tom, no problem now, just for the future if needed.

[1928Mik]

New guy here. I have a '28 Phaeton which was my Dad's and sat for over 30 yrs. Prepped everything and installed battery. Positive ground was one thing I totally forgot about. Engine started right up but ammeter was running negative. Reversed battery and all is well. This thread was helpful to me.....Thanks guys.

[JDupuis]

1928Mik; Welcome to the barn. Hope to hear more about your Dad's phaeton. Jeff

[1928Mik]

Been in family since 1965. Totally restored in the early 80's. Been sitting on jackstands in heated garage ever since. Dad would not let anyone near it. He passed away last Oct. Anxious for Spring weather to finally get it back on the road. No harm done in hooking battery up reversed. Fires up and runs great after total carb cleaning. Nice to have forums to refer to.

[jm29henry]

J Franklin is right!

[JDupuis]

1928Mik, nice to know your Dad's car is in good hands. Sorry about his passing. He'll be riding with you on all your ice cream runs and Sunday drives. Jeff