Mike-
Thanks for the alternator input. I recently changed a Ford from 6 volt
positive to 12 volt negative. Had advice from several about how to handle the
Instrumentation. Most said I should put some resistance into the dash instrument
circuit among other things. One of my knowledeable mechanic friends said
both the change from 6 to 12 volt and the polarity change didn't require
anything
special. Other than reversing the ammeter leads, he was right. The fuel gauge
and temperature gauge and oil gauge all work fine and required no resistance
stuck in. I don't know why not, but he had done the same to his car and told
me it caused no problem. The radio and/or clock would not work on 12 if
designed for 6 volts, but the dash instruments are apparently unaffected. I
haven't
dealt with the clock issue yet, so it is unconnected. Even the starter is the
original 6 volt. I know of many who have made the 6 to 12 positive to negative
switch and made no change to the starter. With the 12 volts negative where, as
Fords, they had been 6 volt positive, they start like bandits after the
change and the reversed polarity has no effect on the starter working. It might
very well break the Bendix spring at some point, but that is simple enough to
replace. Of course changing from 6 to 12 absolutely requires changing to a 12
volt alternator or generator and the advantages of the alternator over the
generator make the choice a no brainer unless one is trying to retain the
"original" appearance in which case the generator needs to be rewound or
replaced with
a 12 volt in the same case.. Vic "Splash" Nelson
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