Magneto vs. battery ignition

The H was originally 6 volt, positive grounded electrical system. It sounds like yours has been converted to a 12 volt negative ground system and probably an alternator. When the conversion is done either the coil needs to be changed to one rated to work on a 12 volt system, or a ballast resistor has to be installed between the switch and the coil. This lowers the voltage to the coil to about 6 volts and is done to prevent the points from “burning out” very prematurely.

If the conversion is wired right, the points should last at the very least a year (unless you run it 24/7-52 then they might only last half a year. You can convert to a magneto which is self contained, then the voltage and polarity will not affect the ignition system. Magnetos are dependable, but have an impulse in them to retard the spark for starting, especially hand cranking. Many converted away from them to the battery distributor because “kicking” (the engine spinning backwards from too early a spark) was less frequent with the distributor than with the mag.

You probably have more questions now, feel free to post them, someone will answer them for you.

A good set of points, with a new condensor should run for YEARS.

Is it still a 6-Volt system?

If so, either switch the polarity (then polarize the generator before restarting the engine), ot swap the 2 primary wires on the coil, if you choose to leave it (-) ground.

If there are 6 cells, there is probably a ballast (porcelin) resistor that is bad and will not let you start it.

If it's a sealed maintenance-free type, it's almost certainly a 12V battery.

Otherwise, count the number of caps on the top of the battery. That will tell you how many cells it has. 3 caps = 3 cells = 6V battery.

BTW, the ground doesn't matter unless you have a particularly violent faction of the "originality police" living in your area. As long as it works, LEAVE IT ALONE.