GS history... or, M/C trivia....

[txironhead]

I have read some automotive industry trade publications that talked about cars going to 24 volts, like Brain said. One reason was to operate the A/C compressor with electric motor so it could be variable speed and so it didnt need to be in engine compartment driven by a belt from the engine. Other apllication for the 24 volts was to operate the intake and exhaust valves to allow variable timing.

And as stated before, in general, the idea of higher voltage is so can get more force-power-watts with less current, meaning smaller wires.

If this keeps up, we won't even be able to change the oil in our own cars.:shock:

[rustybronco]

Yeah, most everything changed to 12 volt in the mid to late 50's. I remember I had an "1952" Ford truck that was 6 volt, as well as a "1946" International Model " "A tractor. 12 volt meant more electrical power, much like a 9 volt rechargable drill as compaired to an 18 volt. My question always was why did many old vehicles have a positive ground system? Sounds strange these days, but the pos side went to ground, and neg. went to the electrical components.

I have a 1939 farmall "A" serial number faa1244 (they started with 501?) no lights, starter or hydraulics! with a 6 volt system the wiring would have to be a larger diameter to carry the current needed for the electrical items so they went to 12v to keep the gauge of the wire smaller for a given power demand, some day we will see 24 volt or 36 volt as common and 12 volt as "OLD"

[rustybronco]

Thanks Koolail kid, were any of them positive ground? My "52" Ford truck was, BUT WHY A POSITIVE GROUND??????

an electron has a negative charge and current flows from neg to positive, so positive equals "ground"

[txironhead]

an electron has a negative charge and current flows from neg to positive, so positive equals "ground"

I knew I should have stayed awake during science class.....:-D

[mixongw]

an electron has a negative charge and current flows from neg to positive, so positive equals "ground"

What's the difference? Wires don't care which direction the electrons are going in.

[rustybronco]

What's the difference? Wires don't care which direction the electrons are going in.

None, i was just their thinking to use positive as "earth" or ground because electrons have a negative charge.

[mixongw]

None, i was just their thinking to use positive as "earth" or ground because electrons have a negative charge.

Now I got it. It makes sense to me now.

[GS750]

If this keeps up, we won't even be able to change the oil in our own cars.:shock:

If you own something like a jaguar, merc or BMW you probably cant now!

I remember when I was completing my time as an apprentice in the workshop, we had a V12 Jag come in that was misfiring under load...... turned out to be 3 sparkplugs were dodgy.

It required the removal of the engine just to replace the plugs!