[Putput Man]

I've got my '47 B up and running, and am ready to install a battery. The box looks to fit a battery of 12"x8"x8"tall (top of posts). What's recommended? Thanks

 

[Lovesthedrive]

If it is traditional 6 volt, group 1. I seem to remember some of them used 2 6 volt batteries to achieve 12 volt, dont hold me to that, my knowledge here is very limited.

 

[Putput Man]

My manual shows a set of 6v batteries in series. I'm not shooting for a concours restoration application, so a standard 12v battery will do. It's a 12v system otherwise. Just trying to go economical and simple for now. I'm heading over to my fleet supply store this weekend... I'll measure up either a car battery or similar... whatever'll fit and has the most CCA. Just thought there's enough B's and A's (electric start models) out there that there's a "standard" for what's ideal in this application. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks

 

[alabamafrog]

I am not a B man at all but I thought that the B's were 6v and the late A's were 12v, I know the battery box in the B is a lot smaller than the A and the A came with 2 6v to make 12v. If yours still has the genny instead of an alternator then it is most likely still factory 6v?

 

[Lovesthedrive]

There are 12 volt generators. Just be mindful that most generators were positive ground.

 

[alabamafrog]

I was just guessing that if anyone changed it over from 6v to 12v then they would have most likely took the old genny off and put a modern 12v neg ground alternator on it instead of swapping it out for a 12v pos ground genny system. Of course there is no telling what all might have been done to it over the years???

 

[johndeerefan]

There are 12 volt generators. Just be mindful that most generators were positive ground.

Gennys don't care about polarity. The only thing that changes is the ammeter, starter, and battery wiring. Although, 99% of two cylinders with a genny are positive ground.

 

[Lovesthedrive]

Starters dont care about polarity. Turn same direction no matter the polarity.

Onlything that does care is if you use a GM alternator. You will kill the diode tree with a positive ground. Alternators require negative ground, no rewiring necessary. Only thing you might consider is a balast resistor for your points.

 

[johndeerefan]

Satarters dont care about polarity. Turn same direction no matter the polarity.

Onlything that does care is if you use a GM alternator. You will kill the diode tree with a positive ground. Alternators require negative ground, no rewiring necessary. Only thing you might consider is a balast resistor for your points.

Correct. I said starter because the wire to the battery matters. The internals of the starter don't care.