Board Logo

6v /12v Electrics
Tnate - August 1st, 2005 at 11:14 AM

Hiya all,

Just wondering what type of resistor or transformer can be used to restrict a 12v system to 6v. The reason I ask is that there is a 6v car here that the owners want to convert to 12v (for sake of headlights and tail lights, as well as ignition), but everything else, they want to keep as standard 6v.
Pretty much they want a 6v car with 12v headlights.

Thanks for the help
Tnate

phantom - August 1st, 2005 at 12:08 PM

You can buy Power Invertors that will (apparently) change a limited amount of current from 6v to 12v. I haven't dabbled in this yet but will be within 6 months.

I am of the understanding that it will only change a small amount, most commonly used for 12v car radios. I don't know whether it will pull enough for a set of headlights. I am sure some of the guru's on here will be able to help with this, as I am only going from data I have heard from other people.

I did see that Crazy George had a couple of these invertors for sale a while back, he may be able to tell you more as well.

blutopless2 - August 1st, 2005 at 12:46 PM

converters will not deliver enough for headlights etc... usually will only handle 1-2 amps depending upon the size of them. You would be better off converting the whole car to 12v and converting back down to 6v for the items like semaphores etc. There are other posts on here relating how to convert to 12volt from 6volt and the things to change.

Purple Martin - August 1st, 2005 at 05:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TnateJust wondering what type of resistor... ...Pretty much they want a 6v car with 12v headlights.

Here is one way of doing it:

- Convert the charging system (the generator and regulator, or they could upgrate to an alternator), battery, wiring, headlights to 12V
- For each item that should remain 6V, add an in-line resistor (in other words add a parallel resistor) that has the SAME resistance as the item it is in-line with. This will halve the available 12V to 6V for that item.


TBH They may as well do the whole 12V conversion.

blutopless2 - August 2nd, 2005 at 06:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Purple Martin
- For each item that should remain 6V, add an in-line resistor (in other words add a parallel resistor)


dont put the resistor in parallel with the item you want to drop the voltage to as it will not work. Must be in series to drop voltage.

Purple Martin - August 3rd, 2005 at 03:36 PM

D'oh! yes you are right, I used the wrong word.

it must be in series.