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Just some of the latest ideas for some of you that are contemplating installing a radio in your car.

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Almost looks like someone tried to install their home set in the car.

Can't imagine the hassle with early radios where in addition to the huge components there are actually different voltage A, B and sometimes C batteries that had to be installed to run the radio. Some were dry cells so had to changed periodically while others could be taken out and recharged. The early adopters really had to want and love radio.

The batteries were replaced by the Dynamotor which was a large step forward in eliminating the inconvenience but the first versions of those were quite large and noisy so had to fit in a compartment under the floor where the batteries formerly went. Later ones were smaller with a rubber lined cover so Packard installed their Dynamotor in the gloveboxes.

October 8th, 1924 listening to the World Series.

Looks to me that the problem with installing an aftermarket radio.in a Packard has been around forever. No one produces an aftermarket automotive stereo/mp3 unit for cars with positive ground.
The photo shows a solution to the problem that still works---install the negative ground system with its own power supply.
Only problem is that the battery is not being charged by the generator and you can run out of juice.

I run a hidden AM/FM radio in my 38 using a 6V pos grnd to 12 V neg grnd converter that I found on Ebay. I puts out about 2.5 amps which runs my 2 speaker unit just fine. I was lucky in that I could use the vol and tuning dials on my dash to run my radio but there are are units out there that can be run remotely.

Someone recently posted this link
redirad.com/products/redirad-am-p

I do have a 6v to 12v converter that only feeds to my cigar lighter so I can plug in my iPhone charger. I replaced the cigar lighter with a modern 12v one and reattached my original handle. There are pictures of the converter and lighter setup at The Duchess Project blog.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... at&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=300

I had wondered about adding a FM converter to my stock radio. The converter is 12 volt (neg). I could use a 6 volt to 12 volt converter to power it, but not sure how to hook it up. I assume the FM converter would need to be insulated from "ground", but what about where the antenna plugs into it and it into the radio's antenna connection?

John

Although not common, there were true portable sets available to the public, starting around 1923. These sets had an integral speaker, antenna, and batteries as required for tube "A", "B" and "C" voltages.

The Westburr Six originally sold for $165 in the early 20's, about half the price of a Ford Model T.

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