Board Logo

6v stereo - batteries in series?
lownslo - December 6th, 2007 at 07:39 PM

Ok so stereo's don't run off 6v and I have a 56 thus I have a 6v system and am not willing to change the motor over. I know there is generators that can make 12v that fit these things but they are hard to find and pretty damn expensive.

I'm just thinking out loud here and electronics isn;t really my forte but what if I was to hook up a second 6v battery in series with the current one. This will give me the 12v I need but the problem I face is charging them both. Would the generator be able to charge both batteries at once? Is it even possible? The car whilst running really doesn't drawing much current, all I really use is the indicators, don't drive much at night so don't use headlights often, and the wipers are a rarity also. So even with the stereo wouldn't be drawing huge current as I'd only be putting in a head unit and 2 speakers. So possible or stupid idea and I should just give up on the idea of a stereo :p

Or hook up the generator to a switching system like on 4x4's and campers so one battery is charged at a time?


Volkswagenboy - December 6th, 2007 at 08:08 PM

Buy a 6 to 12 volt converter, you'd be able to pick one up cheaper probably but here's one off ebay for US$59.
Click Here
Easy as pie and pudding.
-Staggers.


lownslo - December 6th, 2007 at 08:14 PM

From that ebay ad

Quote:

Buyers have coupled up two units for higher power radio units


So normally they reckon it supply's a continuous 5amp supply. So are they saying that hooking up 2 you somehow get a 10 amp supply? And is this really enough I have heard that with these voltage steppers as they only supply minimal amps that volume can go up and down with revs :p


A battery is only $90 so not that much cheaper and this way I would get a higher amperage.


greedy53 - December 6th, 2007 at 08:17 PM

just go 12 volt easy to do plenty of parts and help and u will be able to see at night
i have a couple of 12 volt gennys here they need a freshen up but u can have one if that will help u pay post and i'll send it than its just a change of globes in all lights the starter can stay and a resister on the wiper motor from dick smith
nearly forgot i'll throw in a regulator there $100.00 free with the deal


Volkswagenboy - December 6th, 2007 at 08:22 PM

5 amps is a fairly decent current especially when you're only running two speakers... I'd have to say I don't think your plan is plausable, but I can't say I'm 100 percent sure what you're plan is.
A second battery might only be 90 bucks, add wiring, switches, relays and solenoids, plus the damage you'd probably cause to the existing wiring means it wouldn't be worth it.
-Staggers.


lownslo - December 6th, 2007 at 08:30 PM

Current wiring is already butchered from when car was imported. Have spare battery cables and clamps etc from another car, plus have a handful of relays and solenoids and heaps of wiring lying around, so no other expenses to add really.

I don't really use the car at night, and I don't really have an issue seeing at night as is with the current 6v system.


Volkswagenboy - December 6th, 2007 at 08:45 PM

I can only see a few possible options;
*Buy a 6V radio.
*Buy a 6V to 12V converter and run a 12V radio.
*Convert your whole system to 12V.
or
*Buy an I-Pod.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it's not possible to use two batterys in series and parralel at the same time and still end up with two different voltage outputs.
-Staggers.


matberry - December 6th, 2007 at 08:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Volkswagenboy
Correct me if I'm wrong but it's not possible to use two batterys in series and parralel at the same time and still end up with two different voltage outputs.
-Staggers.



Correct


lownslo - December 6th, 2007 at 09:05 PM

Just run the car on 12v and change the globes and resister on the wiper motor? Or get a voltage step down circuit and run the car on 12v and stereo on 12v?


Matt Ryan - December 7th, 2007 at 08:13 AM

lownslo,

Here is a link to a circuit diagram & parts list to make a converter to run 12v accessories on a 6v system.

http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/6-12conv.asp

You said you were no good with electronics but you could print this up & take it to someone who does Tv or stereo repairs & pay them to make it. If you know anyone who is into ham radio they might knock one up for free, there might even be someone on AVD who can help.

Regards,

Matt.


blutopless2 - December 7th, 2007 at 10:12 AM

your problem with 6 to 12 volt inverters is going to be the power requirements of your stereo. doubt you will get an inverter able to deliver more than about 1 amp on the secondary side. your stereo is likely to draw much more than that.


lownslo - December 7th, 2007 at 01:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by blutopless2
your problem with 6 to 12 volt inverters is going to be the power requirements of your stereo. doubt you will get an inverter able to deliver more than about 1 amp on the secondary side. your stereo is likely to draw much more than that.


thats why I was avoiding them as I figured a power boosting system really isn't going to cut it hence my suggestion of the batteries in series. But if that doesn't work then bugger it