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| | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 | Hey, What happens if you run 12 volt bulbs (little ones, not headlights) in a 6 volt system?????  Are they just dimmer or does it hurt something?
Bruce | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 61 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 61 | I believe they should just be dimmer. shouldn't hurt anything.
Bill S.
Tempe, AZ
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Yeah, they are dimmer, VERY DIM!!! Dimmer than they are now, it's like using a flashlight with 90% dead batteries. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | As far as I know the only issue is dim....REAL dim.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Oh, your bulbs will last twice as long though. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 | Thanks, I guess I could use them as I've been called a dim bulb before! 
Bruce | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | Most of the FLAPS around here stock a good supply of 6v bulbs. Why not just put the correct bulb in?
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 | Depends where your "dim Bulbs" are situated and how they are wired up!
If they are in parallel to another system, they may effect how that system performs downstream from the bulbs.
They can in effect act as a resistor to the power continuing on to the next circuit.
You could throw some 12 volt bulbs into your dashlights, and then find that all the other gauges (oil, temp etc.) read incorrectly whenever the light swich is turned on!
Follow TINY's advice and fit the right part from the start. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Doc Bob, would you mind telling us all how 12V dash lights are going to have any effect on a capillary tube temp gauge or a direct pressure oil pressure gauge? Then tell us how it would effect electric gauges on the off chance that he is running 6V electric gauges. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,403 | Cletis, I was thinking the same thing and that's probably what he meant. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 | Most of the FLAPS around here stock a good supply of 6v bulbs. Why not just put the correct bulb in? 
Bruce | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 | Hi Cletis,
Just to clarify your questions.
I was'nt referring to capillary gauges when I posted the reply.
I WAS trying to convey how a vehicles' wiring circuit is designed to operate as a unit that can be effected by non-standard parts being introduced into the system.
Sure a 12 volt headlight globe won't do anything bar give you candlelight to drive by........but place a 12 volt bulb in the instrument circuit, 12 volt coil in the ignition circuit or even a 12 volt ciggie lighter in a 6 volt system and you ARE going to develop problems!
I was only highlighting the fact to keep 6 volt 6 volt, and use 12 volt parts in a 12 volt system.........
The potential difference to earth through a 12 volt part fitted to a 6 volt system WILL effect any function of a 6 volt part in the loop of the vehicles' wiring.
it's not rocket science! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 | Bruce.............
get rid of all the elecrical systems and just rely on the right foot and the sound from the muffler for cryin out loud.
Save us all from this post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
( another vain attempt at humour! )
Last edited by doc bob; 06/27/2008 3:07 PM.
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