The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical => Topic started by: RDfella on 27.05. 2021 21:09

Title: coil polarity
Post by: RDfella on 27.05. 2021 21:09
For those who run ignition coils, thought the attached might be of interest. Came across it in a classic car magazine I subscribe to. I always believed that when changing a vehicle's polarity, the coil's leads should be changed too - ie coil +ve should go to battery +ve. But apparently not always ......
Title: Re: coil polarity
Post by: Swarfcut on 29.05. 2021 09:24
 Interesting concept there RD. I've always fitted them SW/CB regardless of the battery polarity. But yes, aftermarket ones marked + & - are questionable.  Specific model replacements usually have different size terminals to ensure they fit the right way round.

 As for vehicle polarity my Dad told me the corrosion of steel bodies was less with negative  earth systems compared to positive earth, supposedly discovered in the early days of unitary construction. More like makers hype? How come you never see a vehicle with a sacrificial anode as in marine practice? There's no shortage of salt water on UK roads in winter.

 Swarfy.
Title: Re: coil polarity
Post by: Triton Thrasher on 29.05. 2021 10:01
Tell the corrosion prevention story to my 1967 negative earth Vauxhall.

I heard that sacrificial anodes are not applicable to motor vehicle bodies because the vehicles are not submerged.  Could that be right?
Title: Re: coil polarity
Post by: Bsareg on 29.05. 2021 15:39
To be effective the water (electrolyte) must be in contact with the metals to be protected and the noble metal (normaly Zinc) which is the anode, difficult on a car. Although, I have heard that some pre-war manufacturers used Zinc washers on aluminium bodies where they are attached to the steel chassis.