Wade connector identification

Posted by HH56 On 2025/3/26 19:31:05

Multi wire Wade connectors that were used by Packard from about 1940 thru 1950 are housed in a black or dark brown Bakelite enclosure. Several wire combinations were offered and were used in many places but the two in question are the 4 wire style. Those are in a rectangular enclosure with 2 wires going into each end. They came in either all 4 wires shorted together or in another almost identical looking enclosure with two separate circuits. The question is how was the two circuit enclosure identified visually. My 47 no longer uses the connectors or I would look at it but I only have a 4 wire shorting type to look at now. On that enclosure I don't see or feel any marking at all so would like to know what if anything is on the dual circuit enclosure.




Unless someone knows off hand and will share, am wondering if someone with a postwar car that still has original wiring would look at their car. Several connectors should be easy to see near the left tail light in all 46-50 models but a 23rd series would be easiest since there should only be one of each type used. There should be some kind of visual indication seen or felt on the enclosure as to which type is which. I am thinking it was a dot or a line cast in the Bakelite for the two circuit item or possibly even a different shaped end -- but don't know for sure.

Here is a part of the diagram for a 23rd series. In this drawing the 4 wire shorting connector is shown on the diagram with the X across the connector. The dual circuit is drawn with a wider end. Other year diagrams or even same year diagrams but showing them in other circuits identified them differently. If the car doesn't have the optional trunk lid light only 3 wires will be in the shorting type connector.