hiya! searching the 'net for info, came across this website... nice work!!!

I'd like to put some tunes in a 1950 Studebaker.... 6 volts...

my only bright idea so far is to fab up a 12 v battery/amp tray for the trunk, run wires to the dash and try install some speakers behind the original radio grill and maybe a small minijack outlet to plug the mp3 player into...

any ideas on the subject? small low power amps? any other stand alone sytems? scrap the idea and use a boombox? I'd like to keep the original interior intact...

TIA
Bob

 

You'd have to go 12v. The whole car, that is. 12v conversions are quite common on those ol' dogs, change the bulbs, generator and starter, and there isn't much left.

To throw a 12v setup in the trunk while keeping everything else 6v, you'd need to add an additional alternator that puts out 12v, so you may as well convert the whole car then, no? To have a generator AND alternator going off that engine would cause a lot of extra hp loss, as well as looking kinda goofy.

Nope, I'd convert the whole car.

 

If you're restoring the car to original, that must cost a fortune.
Why wouldn't you restore the original radio to original condition?

Other than that, yes you'd have to go to a 12 v battery and that would need a 12 v charging sytem, so might as well convert the whole car to 12 v.

 

Somebody makes a 12volt battery that has an additional post for 6volt hook up. I saw it a few years ago on a car show. I can't remember much more about it. I'll try and find more info on it.

 

I think you can run 2 6 volt batteries one to run the car and the other you have to run it in series and a battery isolator so the deck gets 12 v and the rest of the car gets 6 the charging system should recharge the batts.

 

thanks for the replies!! gives me something to work with.....

TomF1.... the car is in original condition... 1950 tube radio... only problem is, there are no AM stations broadcasting within many miles of where I live.... I heard there's guy that will wire an FM recieiver in, but apparently it's real expensive...

GrizZz... I've been thinking on the 12 volt upgrade, but this car is in such good shape, it would be a shame to change anything.... I was thinking I could add a small battery charger to keep the 12 volt topped up....

loud'n'proud.... I was sort of thinking dual batteries.... I'll have to play around with that one...

thanks guys.... its not high tech audio, but its a challenge to get something in there and keep it original as possible.....

 

(GrizZz here, wife's PC)

Ya, I didn't think you were wanting to keep it all original...

SWEET lookin' ride, BTW!

I got a better idea... If it's a tube radio, I bet Rod (my stereo repair dude) could hook up an input to it. I recently had him restore an 8-track deck for a 1/4 million dollar (ya, buddy had FAR to much money) '74 Jensen Interceptor. Not tubes, but made a hidden input for an iPod. Of course, I'm sure there's a guy in whatever major centre you live in/near that could do it too.

An input, like two RCA's or a stereo 1/4" mini-jack. The job might cost a couple or few hours labour but it'd be worth it, and a full service on it to boot.

Plug in your iPod and you're ready for Bill Haley to rock your clock anytime ya want!