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| | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 12 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 12 | Getting ready to purchase a 1956 GMC NOS radio and speaker to go in my 1955 2nd Series Suburban Carryall, which is a 6 volt system.
Will one of those $69-99 Inverters make the Radio work ok?
Same for a 12 Volt Horn I just bought?
Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | It depends on the amperage-draw of the radio.
It depends on the amperage-draw of the horn.
It depends on the amperage output of the converter/inverter.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Is your truck positive ground? If so, that is another factor. I would suggest that a TF truck should be 12V neg ground. Your future life will be much better and you will a cool guy. It's pretty easy to accomplish. A 6V TF truck is a mistake of nature.(and GMC). Putting in a bunch of resistors and transformers and voltage limiters and reducers and expensive gadgets is silly and will lead to bad teeth. We have a wonderful tip section on converting. Rewiring not required. BTW, I had a 56 GMC Carryall. Nicest looking truck I've had. Check out the "Solid Windows" tip for TF Carryall/Suburban....and this for Panels, Burbs and Carryalls: http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/wheels-tires/1402-spare-tire-mount/Also from the experts in the "Radios" tip section is this: Q. Can I use a 12V radio in my 6V truck? Yes, if you can find a DC to DC converter to step the 6V up to 12, but it might be preferable to convert the truck electrical system to 12V.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 12 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 12 | Tks! So in Summary, convert to 12 volt system?
Love the spare tire idea. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | I'll be using a 6v (positive ground) to 12v negative ground converter in my 1954 GMC COE - for radio and GPS and 12v charging of phone/etc. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,063 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,063 | I agree with Bartamos, 12v - ground is the way to go on your TF truck. I would not entertain the idea of trying to run a horn through a converter, a horn draws so much current, you would have to have one heck of a beefy converter! That may cost as much as converting to 12v! | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Tks! So in Summary, convert to 12 volt system? Yes converting to Negative ground 12V is a good thing to do at this stage. Thanks for the compliment on the article.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Those converters only handle about 2 amps. It's only good for a solid state radio.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
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