1963 battery cables

[Andreas S.]

Hello,

Can someone please explain to me why the positive is black and the negative is brown? Very confusing in my opinion.

Thanks

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Because they have always been that way!

And this is the NCRS. the R standing for restoration.

JR

[Andreas S.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Because they have always been that way!

And this is the NCRS. the R standing for restoration.

JR

Thank you ever so much for enlightening me!

[Leif A.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Because they have always been that way!

And this is the NCRS. the R standing for restoration.

JR

JR,
That reminds me of what my parents used to say when I would ask them "why"...Because I said so, that's why.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Hello,

Can someone please explain to me why the positive is black and the negative is brown? Very confusing in my opinion.

Thanks

I don't know why, but I agree that it has always been confusing.

Earlier C1s used Black for the main Power Feed from the battery Bat+ Solenoid post to the Ammeter input, so maybe they were trying to stay consistent.

Many C2 engine harnesses were(and continue to be) compromised when the Black ground wire for the Heater blower motor and Wiper motor, was/is inadvertently connected to the Bat+ Solenoid stud instead of the Starter mount bolt.

[Andreas S.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

I don't know why, but I agree that it has always been confusing.

Earlier C1s used Black for the main Power Feed from the battery Bat+ Solenoid post to the Ammeter input, so maybe they were trying to stay consistent.

Many C2 engine harnesses were(and continue to be) compromised when the Black ground wire for the Heater blower motor and Wiper motor, was/is inadvertently connected to the Bat+ Solenoid stud instead of the Starter mount bolt.

Thanks Richard. I appreciate the information.

Mine was recently comprised when the car was boosted (I was not there) and the cables were attached to the wrong terminals.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas, I can see why you asked that question. We think of a positive cable as being read. Or at least having a red end to it like my tester and battery charger.
A lot of things in life don't make sense. Like these hurricanes. John

[Andreas S.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas, I can see why you asked that question. We think of a positive cable as being read. Or at least having a red end to it like my tester and battery charger.
A lot of things in life don't make sense. Like these hurricanes. John

Exactly John, red is positive, black is negative. (normally) Thanks John

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas,

I now understand. That's unfortunate. I suspect that your alternator may have been damaged too.

I had a similar situation once. Someone reversed the cables on the Solenoid and the Starter mount bolt on a 67 I was working on. When I went to connect the Spring Ring ends on to the battery, that's when I noticed the wrong polarity. In my case it was quickly spotted.

But your scenario is exactly what can happen if the "booster" isn't watching closely. Unfortunate mistake.

Rich

[Andreas S.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas,

I now understand. That's unfortunate. I suspect that your alternator may have been damaged too.

I had a similar situation once. Someone reversed the cables on the Solenoid and the Starter mount bolt on a 67 I was working on. When I went to connect the Spring Ring ends on to the battery, that's when I noticed the wrong polarity. In my case it was quickly spotted.

But your scenario is exactly what can happen if the "booster" isn't watching closely. Unfortunate mistake.

Rich

Richard,

Exactly as you say. I haven't had time to assess it yet, so for now the car is idle with cables disconnected.

It could always be worse. Hope the alternator is ok.

I will mark the cables red/black with removable tags so this will not happen again in the future.

Thanks again,

Andreas

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Richard,

Exactly as you say. I haven't had time to assess it yet, so for now the car is idle with cables disconnected.

It could always be worse. Hope the alternator is ok.

I will mark the cables red/black with removable tags so this will not happen again in the future.

Thanks again,

Andreas

Andreas,

While I'm sure your approach will work just fine, it might be easier to use what's marked on the battery and ignore the color of the cables.

Joe

[Andreas S.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas,

While I'm sure your approach will work just fine, it might be easier to use what's marked on the battery and ignore the color of the cables.

Joe

Absolutely Joe! I will certainly check the terminals as well.

Thank-you,

Andreas

[Keith W.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas,
AC Delco supplied the positive cables to Chevy / Ford / Dodge etc - if you google what type of battery cable they use (1963) they all use black - many years ago mid 80ts I worked in a rubber molding plant making wiring harness for cars - certain mouldings required a dull red mould to be applied - my understanding is that the red pigment that made up the mound - was more expensive than the black - when you think that Delco was making millions of cable - it could be as simple as a cost saving .

[Paul F.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

As much as it seems weird nowadays for the + to be black, the standard for + as red didn't really get going consistently until later in the 60's. While the concept goes back further, it just hadn't taken hold yet. I think Keith's point about cost of red dye may also have played a role. Residential wiring still doesn't use this method. In two wire household circuits, black is hot, white is neutral and the ground is either uninsulated copper or green.

[Andreas S.]

Re: 1963 battery cables

Andreas,
AC Delco supplied the positive cables to Chevy / Ford / Dodge etc - if you google what type of battery cable they use (1963) they all use black - many years ago mid 80ts I worked in a rubber molding plant making wiring harness for cars - certain mouldings required a dull red mould to be applied - my understanding is that the red pigment that made up the mound - was more expensive than the black - when you think that Delco was making millions of cable - it could be as simple as a cost saving .

Thank you Keith, makes sense.