[Boatanchors] Partially Off Topic Question

[Carl]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <match at ece.utah.edu>
To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:26 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Partially Off Topic Question


> On 9 Aug 2009 at 14:54, Jack wrote:
>
>
>>
>> When did American automobiles go from a 6 Volt system
>> to a 12 V system?
>>
>> I have a 52 Ford car radio which is 6 V, and I know
>> that by the time I was aware of such things in high school
>> in the mid 60s, all the family's cars were 12V, but when
>> did the change occur?
>>
>> Was it an all at once starting with a given model year?
>>
>> Were 12V systems optional, becoming standard at some point?
>>
>> This was prompted by some idle thinking about using the 52 Ford
>> car radio as a basis for a simple cheap ham receiver, by adding
>> a BFO and a converter front end, a project that I may explore one
>> of these decades.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jack Antonio WA7DIA
>
> The first American car with a 12 volt system was Buick in 1954. Most 
> others
> followed suit the next year, or the year thereafter.
>
> Marvin
> KA7TPH

Completely wrong. There were several 12V systems before WW2 that were short 
lived.

In modern times the 1951 Chrysler Imperial led the way for one year and 
returned in 53.  In 1953, Oldsmobile, Cadillac and the Buick Roadmaster 
followed. In 54 all Buicks were 12V. Chevy and Pontiac took to 1955 to make 
the switch.

Carl
KM1H