Beating a Dead horse - 6v AC

Posted by Mike On 2010/1/10 13:15:35

Hey all, a quick note before dropping out the door. Getting ready to put the 327 in the 50 packard and thought about ac. Now, i know they had it as early in as the 30's, so that means it works with 6V and i know ford had some systems that were clutchless (always on) for 6v cars. I have a 6v positive ground alternator (and want to get one that looks like a generator from summit - like 400 bucks) so i do have some extra amps to throw around vs a stock 6v car and here are my thoughts (besides converting to 12v, i like my 6v pertronix ignition):

A) Modify the air gap on a 12V compressor (something vintage looking, like a GM A6 in flat 10% gloss black) so a healthy 6v system will hold it closed (i have a big 80's style round compressor to test with)

B) Modify a newer compressor to be always on like the ones that came before 12v and do what the manual says (remove belt in cold weather to save compressor life)

Now consider that i usually only drive in the summer and not that many miles AND that removing a belt would be such nostalgic maintenance (like emptying my sediment bowl), this sounds pretty feasible.

The first option is just a gamble, but if it works i think i'd be home free (i know brackets and condensers, etc, but humor me on making the theory work. If the compressor works, AC will work with a good 6v blower fan under the dash, correct?)

The second option seems like an easy go if you're willing to accept that A) ac is on all the time (not so bad, it is on a lot of new cars even when using heat defrost, and i'm going to be driving in summer anyways) and B) you might have to take the belt of and modify the brackets to fit, etc. and all the work you have to do for AC

However, i know from expirimenting with my old car when i was younger, that a paperclip in the pressure sensor wire to keep that compressor running will get you 34 degree air out of the vents (man, i was 3 degrees from making ICE!) but it will also coat your receiver/dryer with a 1/4 of ice and finish that compressor off in 2 months. So, will running a modern compressor always on be ok (with shortened life, i don't mind doing a rebuild or replacement every 3 or so years with only like 3000 miles a year on the car) or is it creating some kind of high pressure issue...and if so, how can we correct it?

Thoughts? I KNOW i'm chasing the holy grail, but with a few concessions on compressor life or fiddling with belt removal in cold weather, we might just grasp it! And i bet it could be done to look decently vintage (as vintage as AC on a 50 packard can look.)

Afterthought edit: Or can we make an electric only unit that goes in the trunk? was that ever done? That uses a 6v motor to turn a compressor and do all the work (with some real current draw of course) and blows through vents in the back or routed to the dash? That could be workable...have to know if i could get a 6v motor to spin a compressor at the right RPM to work well i guess and use the signal that would go to close the clutch on the compressor to turn the driver motor on/off....tuck it in something vintage like an old coke cooler with some heavy gauge wires going into it and air vent in and air vent out..just thoughts. I'd like to solve this issue if nothing else for the challenge. I'll bust out that old compressor and play with the air gap this week.