Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Where does the radio for a 47 Packard get its power? it looks like the radio and heater fans were left out of the electrical drawings.
Wes

Electrical accessories that were not standard equipment were often not included in wiring diagrams, especially true in the earlier years.

The 42 all model diagram shows the Clipper radio connecting to the ammeter post. On postwar Clippers there is not much on accessories at all that I have been able to find.

I don't particularly like the factory connection because it means the radio is powered all the time but I guess that was common back in the day with ignition switches that only had an off and on position. Guess they did it that way so people could listen to the radio while parked without having the key on. Less probability of burning the points with lengthy power thru them if they stopped closed. On my 47 I went non stock and ran all accessories thru a 40 amp relay controlled by the ign switch. Maybe overkill but the radio and heaters do pull a bit of current so didn't want to overload the ign switch.

On the always on radio, I remember a scene from the movie In Harms Way where one of the characters came home and then walked over to his housemates parked convertible to reach in and turn the radio off because it had been left on. I can guarantee you I would be needing a friend like that or AAA if my radio were always powered.

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Thanks again guys, as always a wealth of knowledge here.
Wes

One other thing, I don't know but I wouldn't call a heater a Electrical Accessories at least not for Packard since they did have the switches already labeled and installed in the dash.

You would think they would have had a blank knob to fill the space if the accessory was not installed but for some reason on Clipper based cars from 41 on they seemed to put a typical complement of labeled knobs in the dash to fill the spaces. Instead of providing an actual switch there was a bolt or stud in the switch hole with the knob attached. Fog Light and the various names for the Electromatic were often blanked off accessories but Heater and Defroster was fair game too. Fog Lite and Heater maybe understandable as those could be dealer added but the clutch?? Perhaps they thought a labeled switch was more impressive looking on a senior car than a blank space.

Where it gets interesting is when the car is fully loaded and there are no more dash spaces in the Clippers and 22-23 series. Can't see a dealer or the factory turning down an accessory sale so would really be interesting to know if there was an official guideline for the dash real estate. Did a lesser accessory such as fog lites get replaced or repositioned to under the dash if something needed the extra switch space.

Looked at my other two Packards and it looks like there was no real set positions for some switches.
Wes

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And now it looks like I have the wrong switch for the Instrument Lights.
Wes

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Is your Fresh Air knob just filling the space or is the rest of the cable sleeve and Bowden cable present but cable and knob stuck? In that same photo with the Fresh Air knob is the dash painted the gold shade or is that just a reflection?

Your instrument light switch looks more like the Heater switch.

Aside from the missing fog light switch this is what I think the switches for the various accessory items look like. Also threw in the instrument light switch which has the fuse for the tail lights.

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Nope no cable, knob just bolted in.
Also labeled the switches with what was on the knobs as I pulled them out.
Looks like I need to find an Instrument Switch.
Wes

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