Introductions, pictures, questions.......all within one neat package

[46Ply]

Do what I do, don't keep track of the money.  It's like pouring sand down a rathole!  

[Tatback]

Very wise advice, the way I see it... I'm making up for it being locked away in a garage for 30 years

[Niel Hoback]

I think it's a bad idea to keep track of your spending because then you will always have in the back of your mind the need to justify the cost. Don't do anything to distract you from just having fun. Going down the road in your car will justify all your time, labor, and cost.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think it's a bad idea to keep track of your spending because then you will always have in the back of your mind the need to justify the cost. Don't do anything to distract you from just having fun. Going down the road in your car will justify all your time, labor, and cost.

that is the very logic women use when buying shoes

[Niel Hoback]

And see how happy they are!

[Plymouthy Adams]

And see how happy they are!

yes.........................TILL...................they learn that your project is now eating into the shoe budget....

[Niel Hoback]

Another reason to avoid keeping any records!

[46Ply]

Reckon we all know that most of these cars can't be justified economically.  It's a hobby and something to enjoy.  Unfortunately, it's a hobby that doesn't have a firm price tag.

[cerick305]

Nice car!  I am also new to the classic car life.  My grandfather gave me his 47' P15 and have enjoyed ever since.

 

I had some of the same issues as you, nothing wrong with the car but user error.  Took me a few minutes to figure ground was positive when working on the rear turn signals.  Good to know this info, especially if you charge using ground!

 

My Amp meter also seems to be in th enegative more than positive.  Thinking something was wrong with my alternator, I flipped the battery disconnect and the car ran fine until I turned on nearly every electrical component.  So must be the gauge.

 

So far so good for me, little grinding of gears but I think from the help of everyone in this forum, I have that worked out. 

 

Good luck to you!!

[Don Coatney]

Nice car!  I am also new to the classic car life.  My grandfather gave me his 47' P15 and have enjoyed ever since.

 

I had some of the same issues as you, nothing wrong with the car but user error.  Took me a few minutes to figure ground was positive when working on the rear turn signals.  Good to know this info, especially if you charge using ground!

 

My Amp meter also seems to be in th enegative more than positive.  Thinking something was wrong with my alternator, I flipped the battery disconnect and the car ran fine until I turned on nearly every electrical component.  So must be the gauge.

 

So far so good for me, little grinding of gears but I think from the help of everyone in this forum, I have that worked out. 

 

Good luck to you!!

Does your car have an alternator? Has it been converted to 12 volts?

[Ulu]

Alternator on a positive ground? Hmmm...Every time I saw an alternator conversion, it was also made neg ground at that time.

 

As for diagnosis, clip a voltmeter on the car and go drive it. See what the voltmeter tells you about what the charging system is doing and when.

[Tatback]

Congrats on your new car as well... Any pictures? These cars look too good to get tired of pictures.

And as far as the money, it's well spent. If I was putting that into a 2003 Toyota I'd be a little upset. I found Andy Bernbaum though the forums and searching and that's where a large chunk of it has gone. Everything comes fast and packaged well though so no complaints.

[DonaldSmith]

I've got a 6-volt positive ground alternator.  A local auto electric shop put it together for me.  

The only shortcoming that I have found is that if I 'm idling with headlights and the old radio on, the alternator can't keep up.  The amperage rating is adequate for 12 volts. but maybe not for 6 volts.  
There are 6-volt, high amp alternators available on the internet, for an appropriate price. 

[Ulu]

Very interesting, Don.

 

I suppose that making a positive ground alternator basically involves reversing the diodes, but to make it 6 volt means heavier diodes and heavier windings, or adjusting the regulator way down to prevent the skinny 12v windings from melting.

 

Alternators replaced generators for a couple reasons, weight was a factor, and cost, but mainly because the alternator charges better at low RPM. Then again, it was possible to order delivery vehicles and such with special generator/regulator sets designed to charge more at idle speeds.