Re: using GPS in a 1955 Packard

Posted by HH56 On 2017/2/23 22:45:53

If you don't want to swap polarity in the car, the next easiest way would be to buy a male plug for the cigar lighter and a female power socket. Make a short extension setup connecting them together and reversing the wires in the process. I don't know if there is anything like that already made but it would be simple to do.

The center post of the new plug which would contact the negative center in the 55 Packard lighter socket would be wired to the outer shell of the new socket. The side shell clips on the plug which would be positive because of the 55 Packards positive ground would then be wired to the center post of the new socket. That would reverse polarity and if you plug the GPS into the extension socket it would have the correct polarity. You could use that arrangement in any lighter socket in the car. If there is exposed metal on the new socket shell add some shrink tubing over the socket to make sure it couldn't accidentally touch anything that might be grounded in the car.

If you only want an outlet in the front seat and don't mind something not stock I think a better solution would be to add a power socket under the dash and wire it up to the cigarette lighter directly. The shells would connect to the lighter center post and new sockets center post to a convenient ground screw. That would reverse the polarity while keeping all the wires hidden. That would also give an extra spot for a phone charger. Just make sure the mounting bracket is not metal or at least the metal shells of the sockets are not able to short to the dash. Since the shells would be at reverse polarity to the rest of the car and could be susceptible to an accidental short, I would fuse the wire to the shells.