hillbillytim,
Welcome to the Stovebolt. It sounds like you purchased a ballast resistor. Although this could be classified as a voltage reducer because that's what it does, it wouldn't be something you would want to stick in front of a sensitive electrical component.
A ballast resistor is a white ceramic device with a wrapped piece of resistance wire encased in it. Its use it to reduce operating voltage to the coil and ignition system on rig built in the '60's and '70's.
It isn't a regulated voltage reducer, and I believe you will get more than 6 volts out the back with 12 volts supplied...more like 8 or 9 volts.
They do make a round ceramic voltage reducer that would drop the voltage to things like a heater motor, and they might be calibrated to achieve a 6 volt output...this is probably what you have. They might have been produced with a name like Volt-a-Drop or something.
This resistor isn't directional. Hook your 12 volts to either end, and the other end will be the reduced voltage.
What is the intended use for your reducer?
Stuart
