Hi Again, thinking about looking at a car radio for a guy but I have it in my head that they ran on 24 volts. Is this correct? He said the car will be 12 volts when finished but he doesn't know about the 24 volts either. Thanks Again, George T.

6 volts positive ground in 48 Packard. This radio has the 6 volt vibrator. But the radio don't care about polarity. Unless you use a solid state vibrator. If converting the car to 12 volt system. You change all the tubes to 12 volt, vibrator and dial lights. Or use a dropping resistor in-line with the DC input and dial lights.

:6 volts positive ground in 48 Packard. This radio has the 6 volt vibrator. But the radio don't care about polarity. Unless you use a solid state vibrator. If converting the car to 12 volt system. You change all the tubes to 12 volt, vibrator and dial lights. Or use a dropping resistor in-line with the DC input and dial lights.
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Hi Warren would that be a regular resistor to achieve 6 volts? Thanks George T

Without getting all tech about this. The car is now putting out around 13.8 volts running speed. The resistor to use would be 2.5 ohms at 40 watts. Would give you 6.3 volts to the radio. Should be on aluminum heat sink as well. You can buy a ready made for just for this application. About $45.00 The guy converting the car to 12 volts. Will also need to know about the gauges and other 6 volt items. or can burn out hard to get replacements. I have done a few 6 volt car radios. The 12 volt tubes, vibrator, dial lamps is the best way to really go. Remember that the polarity don't matter if you use a mechanical vibrator.

Like in any old radio. You should re-cap the whole thing. That Buffer cap in the vibrator circuit is a must replace in any case.

This car is a 6 volt positive ground. To convert to 12 volt negative ground there are things to be considered. All the gauges are 6 volt positive ground. The clock is too. Overdrive solenoid is 6 volt. All lights need to be changed. Dash and radio lights are on rheostat dimmer but need 12 volt bulbs. fuses need to be changed.
The car should really be kept 6 volt positive ground. There is no problems with 6 volt systems as long as the correct 6 volt battery is used. This car takes a large long battery. 6 volt battery cables are twice the gauge of 12 volt ones. Good clean ground points to body and frame.

This is a little off-subject, but I did an engine swap many years ago on a Studebaker. The old 6V starter wouldn't spin the newer engine, so used a 12V system for starter and ignition. In those days, exposed lead bars connected the 6 cells in series across the top of the batt. On a severe budget crunch, I tapped into cell #3 for lights, radio accessories etc. Still ran fine a couple years later when I swapped for an Avanti.

marv

:This car is a 6 volt positive ground. To convert to 12 volt negative ground there are things to be considered. All the gauges are 6 volt positive ground. The clock is too. Overdrive solenoid is 6 volt. All lights need to be changed. Dash and radio lights are on rheostat dimmer but need 12 volt bulbs. fuses need to be changed.
: The car should really be kept 6 volt positive ground. There is no problems with 6 volt systems as long as the correct 6 volt battery is used. This car takes a large long battery. 6 volt battery cables are twice the gauge of 12 volt ones. Good clean ground points to body and frame.
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