Taking the risk of being not qualified too, I understand that the answer also lies in the concept of the starter motor. Usually one polarity end is grounded. And yes, this leads to a sort of "corrosion" called electrolysis when exposed to an electrolytic medium. In ships and metal boats this problem is known and often bypassed with a galvanic isolated starter motor.
Sorry if I offended anyone. I've been studying galvanic corresion for someone and it appears to be prevelant on shore power because of disimular metals. I've read just about everything I can get my hands on but don't feel all the answers are yet there. Isolation transformers seem to be the answer in terms of safety and a corrosion deterent and realizing that many engines have a common negative ground it seems an invitation to galvanic action.
I appreciate the input and haven't heard of anyone putting a GI on the starter but I will certainly research it.
Thank you,
Jim
__________________
Thank you for your help - By far the best info site!
You certainly didn't offend me. To make a good start try to find the galvanic table.
Materials interchange partly if elements of a different galvanic number are used. Certain alliances (like some stainless steels) tend to disintegrate in specific media.
No just to the frame of the generator. But by virtue of the generator frame being earthed the battery is indirectly earthed. There is no need for a direct connection.
__________________
The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.
As regards galvanic corrosion, if you look in to automotive history it was common to ground the +ve. Around the late 50's early 60's this was changed to -ve grounding, mainly due to people getting fed up with there cars falling apart with rust caused by galvanic action.
I've just changed a 1953 Ford 100E Popular to -ve ground.
Mid 70's people in the UK started buying cheap Japanese cars so it didn't matter what grounding they had they just fell apart anyway!
__________________
The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.
I didn't say it stopped it but it reduced it considerably. Some motor manufacturers were dead against it apparently. Ford from what I can gather/remember being amongst the forefront. Lucas Industries finally pushed it through, again from what I can remember.
This isn't something I've looked at in 30 some years since I was in collage.
I think it was covered in test methods and reliability in our course.
__________________
The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.
Ground DC Batteries
Re: Ground DC batteries
