Hot Rods Electronic Ignition Question

Anyone have experience running electronic (Pertronix) ignition in a 12 volt positive ground system with a generator? Thanks

 

You will probably get a better response from these guys if you change your title to "Pertronix ignition question" rather then electronic ignition question. Most here will not open up an electronic ignition thread.
I can't help much on the Pertronix system, but normally electronic ignition systems like to have a consistent 12 volts, something many generators can't do at an idle with lights on.

 

Sometimes you'll hear that the Pertronix won't work reliably with a generator charging system. Nobody has informed my Ignitor I though, it hasn't ever missed a spark in 20 years. Positive ground I've no experience with. Shouldn't be a show stopper?

 

Have you...say...called or e-mailed Pertronix ?
THAT...would be a MUCH better place to ask your question vs. asking here.

Mike

 

Most DC electronics are polarity-sensitive, all it would take is one diode somewhere in the circuitry to prevent it from working. I'd be less concerned with the use of a generator, although they don't put out as 'clean' power like an alternator, so that could be an issue at lower speeds.

 

It seems like it would work fine as long as you hook the wires up “backwards”. I’ve never done it though. I’m just thinking out loud.

 

I herd about a lot of them used on Pos. ground tractors with no problem. If that helps at all. Gene.

 

I have a Pertronix on a 1959 International Cub LoBoy with a six volt positive ground system. Works perfectly, and it has for five or six years. This tractor is used constantly for mowing at our farm. The connections for positive ground are a little different than negative ground, but read the instructions and make sure to get the correct coil.


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Curious here: what vehicle are you working on? I've never encountered a 12v, positive ground.

 

^^^^^ DON'T do this. ^^^^^

In 1955 the Packard was a 12 volt positive ground vehicle.

 

So do English cars up in to the 60’s

 

All Fords were positive ground from the beginning to somewhere in the late forties or early fifties.





Bones

 

Well no, the Model T was negative ground.

 

Oh, I never messed with Ts, I know ole Henry liked the positive ground system. My 1937 Ford is positive ground. I just figured Henry started with positive. When did Ford change to positive ground and when did they change back to negative ground? I know early Ford tractors are positive ground. Thanks for the correction..








Bones

 

Seems to me the Model A was positive ground, and pretty much everything remained so until 1956.

 

Well, I’m pertty sure my 55 Ford was negative ground, it was six volt, I know for sure, because I converted it to 12 volt, when I put a 430 MEL in it. But I remember it as negative ground. But that was over fifty years ago when I did that! Lol






Bones

 

Well you'd know better 'n me. Heck, I wasn't even "supposed to be a backrub" in 1956!

 

1955 Packard Super Clipper

 

Negative with 12v,

 

Pertronix kits for positive ground have a P suffix in the part no. iirc.

 

Well, I went to my faithful I pad and checked on the wiring of Fords and it appears that the change to negative ground occurred shortly after WWII. But I did find where the 1948 Ford pick up was positive ground. But the 55 Ford car is definitely negative ground.








Bones

 

When I was a battery line installer at Sears from 62-65 I remember Fords up thru 55 were positive ground 6 volts but that was a long time ago....