RE: IML: A/C in 6 Volt Cars

[<DickB@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'd like to add to this discussion; my 1955 Hudson Hornet V8 has factory AC,
and it is a 6 volt positive ground car. It also has power windows - so the
electrical system has a lot to deal with.  The car has never had a problem
keeping the battery up (I've driven this car since 1985) - the generator is
a normal Auto-Lite 45 amp unit, and it seems quite adequate.  The engine in
these cars is a Packard V8 - a monster engine to be sure, and it also spins
right up on the 6 volt system. The secret to good electrical performance in
a 6 volt car is to have VERY HEALTHY  # 00 battery cables and adequate wires
that run to heavy current users.  The feeds to the power window system and
to the AC blower are #10 wires (about 1/4 inch thick) - and do the job just
fine.

We have driven this car over 30,000 miles, mostly in very hot desert
conditions, always cool and comfortable - our butter has never melted in our
grocery bags, nor has our Imperial margarine (mandatory content).

Back into my cage now, folks. 

Dick Benjamin (with many years experience herding electrons down wires)

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Geoff Fors
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:54 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: A/C in 6 Volt Cars

One main issue in adding air conditioning to a stock 6 volt vehicle is that
the electrical system, marginal in the first place, isn't going to be able
to keep up with the load.  It's even a problem in a 12 volt system with a
wimpy 30 amp generator, as I found out.  In the 12 volt situation, it's
usable as long as you don't try to also turn on the headlights and the
wipers, etc. and do a lot of idling in traffic.  In other words, daytime use
is OK but night-time stop and go with the A/C on gets a bit scary.

The solution to this for the 6 volt vehicle would be to use a high output
generator.  I suppose there was a factory option generator for this exact
purpose, although they are probably rare enough today that it might be more
practical to look for an old Leece-Neville police alternator from the same
era.  There are a couple of specialty shops which can create a new one-wire
output 6 volt alternator for you, made out of a GM 1980's core, but I like
the idea of using a product that could have been bought at the time the car
was new.  I think the Leece-Nevilles were about 60 amps on a 6 volt model,
which ought to be enough.

Geoff Fors
Monterey CA


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