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RE: alt and alt question-non datsun kinda

To: Graeme Suckling <graemes@saonline.com.au>
Subject: RE: alt and alt question-non datsun kinda
From: "Patrick J. Horne" <horne@cs.utexas.edu>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2003 18:55:31 -0500 (CDT)
Gramme,

I have always attributed to the Negative ground (earth) to be an
american response to the brittish use of Positive grouhd! As I understand
it the wisdom was "if the brittish do it one way, we'll do it the
opposite, hence, driving on the "wrong" side of the road! Whether that is
true or not, I don't know. I also seem to recall there was some discussion
decades ago about switching one side of the battery or the other as
producing less spark, but I don't see how that could be because you have
the same potential across the switch, and switches aren't polarity
sensitve.

Peace,
Pat

- Support Habitat for Humanity, A "hand up", not a "hand out" -

Pat Horne, Network Manager, Shop Supervisor/Future planner, CS Dept,
University of Texas, 1 University Station C0500,Austin, Tx. 78712-1188 USA
voice (512)471-9730, fax (512)471-8885, horne@cs.utexas.edu

On Wed, 30 Apr 2003, Graeme Suckling wrote:

> OOPS,
> my agolopies.
> I was basing my comments on my 1965 1500 which IS positive earth.
> Yes, the BATT terminal SHOULD be protected via fuseable link or maxi
> fuse.
> I'm adding one to the output of my alternator in an effort to protect
> my car(electrics/operator) from inadvertant reverse battery
> connection.
> It has happened before, someone has etched a message on the firewall
> "POSITIVE EARTH".
> By the way, does anyone know why the earth polarity was changed??
> No prize offered, just curious!
> I spent 35.5 years working in the Telecommunications industry and
> EVERTHING D.C. was positive earth.
> Regards,
> Graeme Suckling
> 1965 SP310 - under construction DSOA Member # 112
> 1971 P510 4 door - daily driver, original owner, highly modified.
> 1972 PL510 2 door - in storage.
> 1973 HS30/240Z - re-building to 2003 specs.
> www.imagestation.com/mypictures/index.html
> Adelaide, South Australia.

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