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| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | I would like to add a radio to my 6v truck and a 12 accessory plug so I can run a GPS, charge a phone etc. Don't want to convert the system to 12v as I like the 6v original setup.
I see that a number of vendors sell a 6 to 12v converter. I would like to get some opinions on what would be the best one to buy.
Thanks,
Kurt | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | If they're like many repop or specialty parts they're probably made by the same company. I'd go with the best warranty if I were buying one. There's a seller on ebay who told me he will make them to order and he charged less than the vendors.
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | Thanks. Good way to look at it.
Kurt | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | I would like to know what you finally end up doing. I miss having an electronic portable device portal in my 48. I had one in the 55 2nd but it was 12 volt.
I would like to have a 12 volt cigarette lighter in my truck.
Thank you
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 | The simplest, and probably least expensive way to have 12 volts available is to install a small 12V battery like one for a garden tractor, and an onboard trickle charger. Just plug it in occasionally to keep the battery charged. Solid-state accessories like a normal radio/CD player, etc. (not some mega-watt booster) and power taps for cell phones, etc. use very little current. An occasional recharge overnight will keep the auxiliary battery topped out with no problems.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | Do they make an inverter for 6v to 120v? I thought I had one years ago. Could plug a battery maintenance charger plugged into that. It would charge while you drove it. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 | The conversion from 6VDC to 120VAC, then back to 12VDC would be terribly inefficient. Lots of losses every time the voltage got manipulated.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 | Did you notice the output amperage? 800 Milliamps is 8/10 ampere. That MIGHT recharge a cell phone battery, but that's about all. It definitely wouldn't be able to power a radio, or run a cigarette lighter like someone suggested. I don't think that amount of current could even run a GPS system.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 171 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 171 | Here's a link to an article, thought it was interesting. Going to do something similar to my 54, in know i know mines a 12v, but the concept is interesting for USB devices
....David
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | David, Down at the bottom of the article was a link to This. At $4.95, how can you go wrong? 1.25 amps at 12v will surely run a phone or GPS device. Maybe not a radio though. Kurt | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,838 | Looks good. I wonder if two of 'em could be run in parallel to double the amperage capacity?
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | Jerry,
I was thinking the same question, but maybe using 4 of 'em for a 5 amp solution.
Kurt | | |
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