the full time farmer probbaly wasn't aware of 'it' because it's a -lie- / myth.
when you shut down your tractor, the generator stops making power, and there is a thing called a cutout relay. it OPENS and breaks the commection from the generator armature to the battery.
thus EVERY time you shut your tractor down, the generator is disconnected from the battery
shame on the generator shop guy for not knowing his trade.
Now, that said.
if you rebuild a generator and swap field pieces.. or let it setup a long time, or drop it a few times, or want to change battery polarity, then it IS necescary to polarize the GENERATOR. NOT the regulator. Regulators DO NOT need polerization.
ford 8N left the factory positive ground. All gasser fords pre 65 left the factory as 6v positive ground. All diesel fords 59+ left the factory 12v and negative ground.
nice thing about generators and mechanical regulators is that you can run them as either positive or negative ground. the generator doesn't care. on a very old regulator there is a / may be a minor difference in contact material on the contacts depending on if it was designed for + or - ground.. however in the big game.. it don't matter.
hook up battery, and poerize genny for new polarity and go.
Sound Guy: Thank you for the quick response and the info. I had to remove the battery yesterday which is encased in a steel box and had to remove the gas tank in order to lift it out straight up. Did they do that to prevent theft out in the fields? Also learned that it is a + to ground for the battery. I note you have a 8N on your profile. Does it also hook + to ground for the battery. The reason I ask is that a good friend who runs a commercial electric shop like starters/alternators/generators etc. He emphasizes to me the need to polarize your voltage regulator whenever you disconnect the battery or change it. Thought I would pass that on. Another close friend a full time farmer was not aware of this.
Thanks Againdocrocky