Posted by George on Thursday, December 26, 2002 at 2:31PM :
I replaced the battery in my 65 FF powerwagon that I use for snow plowing.
The battery went dead because I accidently left a plow switch on. I tried to recharge it but it seemed like the poles were reversed. Anyway, it started, barely, then it would not start....battery seemed dead. I tried connecting the charger but it arced....like I had the connections wrong.
I could not believe this, so I got a VOM meter to check the battery polarity. They were reversed in the battery, which meant I had installed it Pos ground in the truck. I did check other batteries by the way to confirm the way I checked this....all but this one battery read as expected.
This particular battery has the poles centered in the case, so I think somone one could have put the top of the case on backwards, thereby mislabeling the poles.
I installed another battery the right way and it starts fine.
Now however, the amp gauge does not seem to work , it flickers a bit but does not show a big discharge when I activate the plow like it used to....plow still works however.
I can't tell if it is charging but it does not show a charge.
Would installing this incorrectly have destroyed the amp gauge, regulator or alternator? Which, if any, is mostly likely to have been damaged?
I plan on paying a little visit to place that sold me this and I would like to know what sort of damage I have probably suffered.
Thanks
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