Re: 1940 Packard 110 Coupe - Electrical:

Posted by HH56 On 2012/12/2 10:20:47

The 40 110 appears to have a typical headlight circuit with 2 bulbs in parallel. Specs say 45 watts on high beam, 40 low beam. Assuming no loss, 45 watts at 6v would be around 7 1/2 amps needed for each bulb. At the usual higher charging voltage, even less. The tail light and other bulbs would add another 2 or so amps to the total -- well within the typical headlight switch protection of 20 amps max for head, parking, tail and sometimes instrument lights. If both high and low work and the headlight protection isn't blowing, I doubt you have a problem with the lights or anything in the light circuit.

The generator max output is spec'd at 35 amps so if the amp meter is showing a discharge at a draw of roughly 15 amps or approximately half the maximum output, I would suspect the gen/reg is in need of service.