8-track player

A lot depends on the player itself. I have been fooling around with this kind of stuff for a while now and have come up with some considerations. First of all, 6 volt to 12 volt voltage boosters are fairly common and no too expensive anymore. But you also have to switch polarity most of the time. That can be easy or hard depending on the player. Most contemporary electronics come in plastic cases. Being non-conductive, plastic components are easy to mount and easy to wire; just swap the leads. When you get into components with metal cases and chassis, it's a whole new ball game. You either have to swap the polarity in the booster or completely isolate the component.

There are a couple of other complications. The readily available voltage boosters are relatively low-current items. Again, with modern components, most are low current draw themselves so this is not a problem, but who knows what the amperage draw of a 45 year old 8-Track player might be? When you start increasing the amperage capabilities of voltage boosters, their price can quickly get out of hand. Also, most modern stuff tolerates "dirty" power quite well, so there are seldom problems, And, if something breaks breaks or burns out, replacements are usually pretty cheap. It's probably not that way with stuff that's almost 50 years old.

I haven't tried this exact application, but I have done enough similar stuff that I would advise against trying it; there are too many factors working against you. In the final analysis, drawing from my experience with 8-Tracks, if you did get it to work, it would eat your favorite tape the first time through.:(

To tie a ribbon on it, I don't think Lear even made a 4-Track in a 6 volt version.
 
Thanks for thanks for that info, somehow I did not think it would be plug and play !!!
I inherited a whole bunch of tapes and was hoping to play them in my car. Sounds doubtful now.
 
there is a 10 amp converter on amazon.— 39.95
I used to run a converter on my MG that was + ground , no problem running cassette deck radio on the :3 amp converter— just make sure to insulate the speakers from ground
 
I'm not the smartest guy when it comes to wiring so I would need a diagram to wire this up if possible even a pencil one.
 
If you want a "hillbilly" solution... Run from two 6 volt batteries in series (you will get 12v). Then set up your charging circuit in parallel (or charge one at a time). You will not be able to charge the batteries when the 8-track is playing.
 
If you want to install it tomorrow and make it easy to remove (for judging or later), how about a marine battery box with a 12v battery mounted in the trunk. Run wires descretly and enjoy the 8 track.
Yes, you will have to recharge the 12v after every drive, but it would be a quick way to get it done.
You could build a console for the front seat floor with the 8 track and speakers mounted on the sides.
I did something like that years ago with a CB radio. No matter what vehicle I was using, the CB radio could be placed in the front floor and using clips to the ignition switch for power. (this was in a 12v vehicle)

Just a suggestion.
 
>>I inherited a whole bunch of tapes and was hoping to play them in my car. Sounds doubtful now.>>


A bigger issue might be serious sound-quality degradation due to deterioration of the tape's magnetic coatings & rotating assemblies.
 
All 8 tracks will be bad by now. The little piece of tape that joined the ends will break. I had a new never opened Elvis Gold pkg. It is just a conversation piece. I have a newer car with factory installed 8 track. Threw away all the other tapes.
 
Why not do a hidden Bluetooth receiver under the dash? That is what I am looking to put into my '39. Then you could play songs from your phone.
 
I have alot to think about but will have to weight the pro's and con's. Lot's of ideas.
Thanks all for the replies.
 
A 1947 car with an 8-track, your way ahead of your time wanting one of those newfangled 8-track creations. The 8-track came out in 1965. I had a 1966 Mustang convertible with a rare factory 8-track in it around 1980. Now you have me wondering, what ever happened to all of my 8-tracks? I haven't pushed a tape into an 8-track in 45-years, I kind of miss that.
 
I was given about 100 or so 8-track tapes which about 85 of them play well in the player I have in my garage. I just thought it would be cool to install one in my 47 but I'm not much of a wiring guy, so might have to give up on that thought.
 
There was a guy advertised in Hemmings that he would rebuild them, replace the tape and flattened wheels. Not sure if he still does it. Limited market now I suppose.
 
I heard that they've found a rebuilder chamber in a pyramid. There are parts there but the rebuilder is gone. Tapes are pretty dried out.
 
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I used to use a $40 rechargeable blue tooth speaker from Amazon sitting on the rear floor along with my phone on which I had lots of period music saved on in my 1930 Model A. No battery draw and I could leave it playing while parked at car gatherings.
Most of those old 8 tracks are probably on You Tube and you don't have to look for a book of matches to wedge them into the right position to get them to play properly. lol Chap
 
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