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Topic: Radio polarity

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L.D.

Radio polarity

Just popping in

A 55 Packard that has been converted to negative ground, how do I use the original radio? The 56 was negative ground. Will a 56 radio fit in the 55?

Posted on: 2015/8/10 12:04

Craig Hendrickson

Re: Radio polarity

Home away from home

Neither 55 or 56 vac tube radios care about polarity. That's apparently because of the vibrator which drives everything.

Craig

Posted on: 2015/8/10 12:33

Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure! Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Time flies like an arrow. Frui

Let the ride decide

Re: Radio polarity

Home away from home

L.D.

The short answer, Yes a 56 Packard radio will fit in a 55 Packard.

I am curious why the polarity was switched. Any reason?

Posted on: 2015/8/10 12:34

Craig Hendrickson

Re: Radio polarity

Home away from home

Only 3 things care about polarity: ammeter, generator and coil. The generator is easy to repolarize and the coil will work either way, but should have the terminals reversed. The ammeter is also easy as just switch the connections.

Craig

Posted on: 2015/8/10 12:36

Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure! Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Time flies like an arrow. Frui

L.D.

Re: Radio polarity

Just popping in

Let the ride decide: polarity was changed so cigarette lighter could power things that require neg. ground and for electric fuel pump.

Craig: All I have read on the old cars was that radios are polarity sensitive, However this wasn't about Packard radios, just radios in general. I do remember from MANY years ago radios had sticker or label telling for Pos. ground only or neg. ground only. I was assuming Packard radio was polarity sensitivity.

Posted on: 2015/8/10 13:17

Ozstatman

Re: Radio polarity

Forum Ambassador

G'day L.D.,

to PackardInfo and, to be positive rather than negative(pun intended),

I invite you to include your '55 Packard in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Posted on: 2015/8/10 15:08

Mal
/o[]o\
====

Bowral, Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia
"Out of chaos comes order" - Nietzsche.

1938 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD

1941 One-Twenty Club Coupe - SOLD

1948 Super Eight Limo, chassis RHD - SOLD

1950 Eight Touring Sedan - SOLD

What's this?

Put your Packard in the Packard Vehicle Registry!
Here's how!
Any questions - PM or email me at ozstatman@gmail.com

Let the ride decide

Re: Radio polarity

Home away from home

L.D.

https://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/partslist5556/Accessories.pdf

What 55 model Packard do you have?
As you can see from the V8 parts book there is a different part number for each radio.

Posted on: 2015/8/10 15:21

Craig Hendrickson

Re: Radio polarity

Home away from home

L.D. Quote:

Craig: All I have read on the old cars was that radios are polarity sensitive, However this wasn't about Packard radios, just radios in general. I do remember from MANY years ago radios had sticker or label telling for Pos. ground only or neg. ground only. I was assuming Packard radio was polarity sensitivity.

All I can tell you is that I converted my 55 Pat from POS to NEG ground right after I bought it. The AM tube radio worked before and after, although the main reason I changed to NEG ground was to install a modern (NEG ground) CD/AM/FM unit.

Maybe the PN change has something to do with "Wonder Bar" vs pushbutton-only?

Craig

Posted on: 2015/8/10 16:17

Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure! Ellen Ripley "Aliens"
Time flies like an arrow. Frui