Grounding question

[Keith Seymore]

More useless info, When ever you have a flow of electrons, they create a magnetic field. When ever you have a magnetic field, you have the potential to have a flow of electrons.

In the automotive world and scientific community this is what is known as "magic".

K

 

[H2OnSnow]

RF radio interference is caused by things like, spark plugs, plug wires, coils and alternators to name a few. A braided ground strap does nothing to limit that.

Yeah, this is not completely so. There are two kinds of RF interference; radiated and conducted. A braided ground strap absolutely does reduce conducted EMI, and would do between little and nothing to reduce radiated EMI. In 197x GM would care very little about reducing EMI since the radio was the only unit impacted by that interference. Today, it is a potentially real issue for all of the computers. So why should we care if it is only messing with computers? LS swap anyone?

 

[H2OnSnow]

I forgot about the resistor wires - don't think you can buy any that aren't anymore so never think about it...

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Just stumbled across this.

300 ohm for the street version, 50 for the race version.

 

[Turbo4whl]

In the automotive world and scientific community this is what is known as "magic".

K

Yes, but for the Young bucks, The next question: What is the big difference between an old truck generator and a newer truck with an alternator? Yes an alternator makes AC current and a rectifier converts it to DC.

These are things if you learn, you can fix your own old parts instead of buying a rebuilt part that may or may not work.

Perry you need to wait before you tell the right answer, I want to hear what the kids know!

 

[H2OnSnow]

Yeah, this is not completely so. There are two kinds of RF interference; radiated and conducted. A braided ground strap absolutely does reduce conducted EMI, and would do between little and nothing to reduce radiated EMI. In 197x GM would care very little about reducing EMI since the radio was the only unit impacted by that interference. Today, it is a potentially real issue for all of the computers. So why should we care if it is only messing with computers? LS swap anyone?

BTW, why did early Corvettes have their plug wires contained in steel "boxes", while none of the other GM rides did the same?

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Spoiler

The fiberglass body of the Vette didn't shield the radiated EMI. In a steel bodied car, the fenders, hood, firewall, core support/radiator did the shielding. The Corvette shields were to perform the function that the other rides got for free from the bodywork.

 

[Sad Sack]

Yes, but for the Young bucks, The next question: What is the big difference between an old truck generator and a newer truck with an alternator? Yes an alternator makes AC current and a rectifier converts it to DC.

These are things if you learn, you can fix your own old parts instead of buying a rebuilt part that may or may not work.

Perry you need to wait before you tell the right answer, I want to hear what the kids know!

Well, I'm no 'lectrical wiz, I always was under the impression that generators actually charge, and todays alternators just maintain a state of charge, hence the reason for making sure the batt was fully charged before dropping in a new alternator so as not too over-work it and burn it out. Please shoot me down if I'm wrong in that assumption.

 

[Turbo4whl]

@Sad Sack I won't make you wait for the answer. The generator has field coils on the case. Current in these create a magnetic field across the armature, current is produced. The commutator where the brushes ride has many contacts. So as it spins you get a steady pulse of DC current.

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The alternator has the field coil in the rotor. When it spins it induces magnetic field to the stator mounted to the outside of the case. Since the stator is "Y" wound, it makes AC current. As stated that AC current is chopped to DC by the rectifier.

 

[idahovette]

YEP......

 

[Scruffy49]

I forgot about the resistor wires - don't think you can buy any that aren't anymore so never think about it...

Motorcycles. Gasoline tractors. Stock 6v vehicles.

You can buy it at any TSC or similar farm store for 4 and 6 cylinder flathead engines. You can order it online by the foot for diy fabric braid covered plug wires. I happen to have 9 modern Japanese cruiser motorcycles, and even the 2 efi equipped run actual wire, not suppression carbon core, and no resistor caps on the sparkplugs. Kawasaki 1500 Drifters, aka, Indians that were not catalog Evolution Harleys with skirted fenders…

 

[Scruffy49]

Yes, but for the Young bucks, The next question: What is the big difference between an old truck generator and a newer truck with an alternator? Yes an alternator makes AC current and a rectifier converts it to DC.

These are things if you learn, you can fix your own old parts instead of buying a rebuilt part that may or may not work.

Perry you need to wait before you tell the right answer, I want to hear what the kids know!

Don’t need a battery to make current with a generator. So long as you always park nose downhill, and have a real transmission (manual), theoretically you can pop start the engine… Have owned a 6v positive ground flathead 6, 3 on the floor truck since 1979 or 1981, can’t remember if I was 7 or 9 when it was given to me.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Don’t need a battery to make current with a generator. So long as you always park nose downhill, and have a real transmission (manual), theoretically you can pop start the engine… Have owned a 6v positive ground flathead 6, 3 on the floor truck since 1979 or 1981, can’t remember if I was 7 or 9 when it was given to me.

A generator with permanent magnet field coils does not need external power to generate current. The magnetic field is always there.

Another example is a small 2 stroke engine with a pull start. It has permanent magnets in the magneto to generate the spark.

 

[Turbo4whl]

A generator with permanent magnet field coils does not need external power to generate current. The magnetic field is always there.

I will add, the old generators had field wires around permanent magnets. So you got some current flow spinning it. Once it has current, some is sent to the field coils so the generator makes even more.

The old electro-mechanical generator regulators have three coil switches. 1) shut off coil to disconnect the battery. If not, the generator would try to motor. 2) Voltage coil to maintain voltage. 3) And an amp coil to cut back the fields so you don't over charge the battery.

 

[DatKat933]

I attached a braided ground strap from the bed to the frame (cleaned spots down to bare metal) and also cleaned the ground spot in the taillight pocket, but unfortunately they taillights and reverse lights still don't work. I also checked the fuse and it wasn't blown.

This exhausted the extent of my electrical knowledge and ability, so I am planning to move the truck to a family friends house that can help me further.

 

[Ricko1966]

I attached a braided ground strap from the bed to the frame (cleaned spots down to bare metal) and also cleaned the ground spot in the taillight pocket, but unfortunately they taillights and reverse lights still don't work. I also checked the fuse and it wasn't blown.

This exhausted the extent of my electrical knowledge and ability, so I am planning to move the truck to a family friends house that can help me further.

This is actually very simple. Get a 12v test light, check for power inside the socket on the little bulb contacts. Do not let your probe touch the sides of the socket. If you have power in the socket. 1 of these things is going on. 1 The bulb isn't getting good contact or the bulb is bad. Check the bulb clean the bulb and socket. Or 2 your light assembly itself does not have a ground to the bed. If you don't have power at the contacts you've been chasing the wrong side of the circuit.

 

[Turbo4whl]

I attached a braided ground strap from the bed to the frame (cleaned spots down to bare metal) and also cleaned the ground spot in the taillight pocket, but unfortunately they taillights and reverse lights still don't work. I also checked the fuse and it wasn't blown.

Did you check what Ricko1966 stated?

Did you check to make sure the frame is grounded? Like the bed, only bolts are the ground to the frame. You can check that easy too. Hook your test light to Positive battery, the test end to the frame. If it does not light, frame lost it's ground connection from the engine bolts.