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What is the advantage of converting to 12-volt, if it voids the function of the clock, radio, fog lights, fuel gauge, etc?

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

Many 6-volt vehicles have been converted to 12-volts in the belief that it will fix their starting problems. Some have tried 8-volt batteries as a fix. These efforts are temporary fixes for a sub-par system. A well maintained 6-volt system with a good battery, generator and starter, and with proper size cables and good grounds is more than up to the task of providing all the electricity our Packards need. Some have fitted 6-volt alternators and these units do provide better charging, especially at low engine speeds. Others may come by and offer more on this subject.

(o{}o)

What you said validates what I've read/heard that if properly maintained, 6-volt system is adequate to consistently crank a Packard.

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

IMO, The main reason people convert is to add AC or run a lot of modern accessories.

It is a given the old 6v systems are usually limited as far as being able to supply very much additional output for extra items. They just didn't have many extra items to add then. Today, if you want AC, unless you find an old AC unit or make or convert a system, 6v AC is non existent and you need to have 12v. A lot of people also want modern stereos and cell phone chargers and don't want to deal with any extra converters for those items.

As far as operation of the car, as long as there is proper maintenance of the electrics, there is no real advantage over 6v and if you are going to show the car it's a definite disadvantage. 12v is a bit more forgiving of poor maintenance because having good clean tight connections and the proper size wire is a must on 6v.

I rather thought that it was the additional modern accessories that necessitated a 12-volt system. It never occurred to me to put an AC in a pre-WWII Packard.

As an aside, my first vehicle didn't even come with an AC and I drove it for 10 years living in Louisiana. So, not having an AC isn't an issue.

kind regards
Garrett Meadows

but it occurred to Packard to put AC in a pre-war Packard!

Was kibitzing with a friend the other day: if a modern vehicle begins to crank poorly or won't start at temperature extremes, you wisely go and have a new starter put in or the old one rebuilt. No one bumps the system up to 24 volts to cure the worn starter--and puts in voltage droppers for everything else. But let a 6 volt system give problems for lack of maintenance and somehow the obvious cure is to double the voltage.

I have converted my 1937 115C to negative ground.

This is very easy to do and makes adding a 6v switched assist fuel pump easy because the case and lines end up being grounded to negative.

Leaves gages lights etc like original.

Your 'Bat' gauge doesn't show in reverse, discharge while charging?

G'day slarsen47,
to PackardInfo.

And I invite you to include your '37 115C in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo.