Re: "Special" items when converting to 12 volt?

Posted by JimGnitecki On 2008/8/23 6:31:02

Bob1951: You reaction is typical and understandable, but that's exactly why I reiterated my reasons for the conversion near the end of my posting.

Getting that AC clutch activated is one of the 2 big deals.

The other is the darn generator / regulator setup:

1. I have seen in writing from experienced mechanics that this electro-mechanical setup with its voodoo "regulator adjustments" needed from time to time is the cause of the vast majority of unreliability issues with old cars. I can believe it. Have you read the section in the service manual on regulator adjustments? It's a joke. I'm absolutely certain that any Packard engineer alive today would have made the swap to an alternator in his personal Packard!

2. Even when working, there is no way a 45 amp generator is going to be sufficient for a car with real HVAC. Every time the AC kicks on, the headlights would dim, and you'd need to remember to turn the AC switch off before cranking the starter (to prevent the AC from trying to engage during cranking)! And, since the generator cut-in speed on my Packard is 920 rpm, and the car idles at 400 rpm, whenever you are idling, you are discharging the battery. If the AC is engaging and disengaging, and the blower is running and the lights are one, you are pulling power like crazy out of the battery. I don't need that aggravation!

Jim G