What Converts 6 Volts Up To 12 Volts?

I thought about this a more and I made a mistake.

Two 6 volt batteries in series could theoretically be charged with a 6 volt generator. This ***umes that the generator was capable of creating the required amperage.

However the generator would have to have two taps, one for each battery, you would also need two voltage regulators.

Keep in mind that only one battery is grounded to the ch***is, the first one in the series.

If you ground both batteries it will not work.

 

You got it right when you said "theoretically". In practice, kind of a cloisterfoik.

You'd have to "float" one of the regulators, plus the windings in the generator for that second circuit could not in any way be connected to the windings for the first. Then you'd need two field windings as well, and in order for the magnetic flux in each field to not affect the output of the other, they would have to be isolated from each other. It would be like having two separate generators in a single case, one behind the other. Who makes those?

Why not just put a gasoline generator in the trunk, with a battery charger connected to it, and use that to charge the second battery. That would be simpler, wouldn't it? And it would look like ****, just like a lot of the other suggestions on how to make what is really a simple modification as complicated as possible.

I'm being extremely sarcastic, why complicate things when the solution is as simple as using a set of points?

 

Just saw this. Not gonna comment on all the goofy stuff that's been said, just the PerTronix part since that's where I work. The older PerTronix Ignitors were more voltage sensitive than the current ones. Providing this one is over about 6 months old, it will be more sensitive, BUT even the older ones will generally spark down to about 5 volts, although it won't be as strong as it would on 12 volts, or if you had our 6 volt version.
My suggestion, put it in and see if it fires with your 6 volt system charged up. If it does, then while it is idling, turn on everything electrical you have - radio, wipers, high beams, whatever you got and see it it dies. If it does then pull out the module and get a 6 volt one, or put points in it. You will NOT hurt the module doing this

 

Actually it is called an inverter and you can find one that will run the ignition. Probably not at radio junk. Go to a legit electronics supply house, tell them the voltage and amperage that it needs to produce.

 

More wrong...

An Inverter changes DC to AC.

I believe what you are confused with is called a converter. So the correct answer to the question asked in the thread ***le is in fact answered in the ***le and should (mercifully) end the topic..

 

The chevy dist with points will work great.That flathead will never make it to 6,000 rpms.

 

If you connect 2 - 6volt batteries in series,negative to ground, positive to negative on the second battery and positive to 12 volt output it will take 12 volts to charge both. You could connect a 6 volt generator where the two batteries connect together but it will only charge the battery that's connected to ground.

If you connect them in parallel, both negatives to ground and the positives connected together you can charge both with a 6 volt generator but you can't get 12 volts.

Heavy trucks at one time used 4 - 6 volt batteries. Two sets of two connected in series. Those two sets connected in parallel. to supply 12 volts. Now most use 3 or 4 - 12 volt batteries connected in parallel.

Some heavy equipment uses 24 volts with 2 - 12 volt batteries connected in series. Many have tried to connect 12 volt radios to one battery but it runs the battery down. The alternator charges both batteries the same amount but the 12 volt radio draws more current out of the battery that it's connected to.

 

I found an old 6-12 volt converter at a swap meet a couple years ado in a box of neat car stuff for $3. It actually works.

 

I thought power converters were for 6v to 12v jumps and power inverters were for changing 6v positive ground to 12v negative ground. The later used for adding modern negative ground radios to a positive ground system. Atleast that was my understanding. I've been wrong before, thou.

 

I know this is an old post, and I'm going in a different direction here, but I have to ask.
I just picked up a 55 fairlane threw a new generator and battery in it then realized its a 6 volt system. What can I do to run the 12 volt battery and generator without having to change all gauges and heater motor?

Thanks

 

Take a look in the tech section on how to make a voltage regulator for $3 and you can have your gauges up and running. A very large ceramic resistor would let you run your heater motor, but they are rather expensive so you are more likely better off replacing the motor with a 12V from salvage.

Fords up through the mid seventies still used 6 volt gauges on a 12V battery. They had a little mechanical voltage reducer mounted on the inside of the dash. If you can find one in salvage, it should also be pretty inexpensive, but I believe new replacement ones are a bit more expensive.

 

I looked into this with my flathead.
I really wanted to keep my 6v makes me feel special, but not in a "parking close to the store way"
i know this is an old thread, but i bought a dizzy from Bubba at http://www.lindertech.com/bhrs/
it's a chevy style dizzy with points, and there is a pertronix 6v setup you can buy from most speed stores, but points are just fine for me.
The dizzy made a world of a difference. Thanks Bubba!
now im not a rocket scientist, and electricity and i are on an understanding that i wont piss it off and it wont shock me! lol
For your 12v electronic needs you can buy a 6v voltahe booster from that auction website.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-12-Volt-I...t=Car_Audio_Video&vxp=mtr&hash=item53e9cac15f
you more than likely need a positive ground unit ^, but he also makes a negative one as well.
if you choose to upgrade to the alternator setup and 12v battery and what not, youre going to need voltage drops for your gauges and any other old school bells and whistles (horn or change them), you will also need to change out the light bulbs, headlights, add ballast for your coil and what not. if you just want a 12v radio, go with the above link.
its not hard and not rocket science.
good luck!
Raf-

*disclaimer*
this is just my shady tree opinion, i'm not rich, i'm no genius, i'm just some poor old dumb ******* who enjoys messing with old stuff and driving my old car.

 

Just to clarify on the 4 6 volt batteries in big trucks there is/was a series/parrelle switch that did the connecting and charging of the four batteries, they started on 24 and ran on 12 and charged on 12 but thru the SP switch and both "sets" charged on 12. Nothing you would want to deal with on a car.

 

I had an inverter in a 67 VW i had back a few centuries ago, changed 6v to 12v for my Craig 8-track! Don't know if it would work for your needs though. Doesn't Pertronix make a pointless ign. for 6v? I thought I read that some where, but then again I thought my ex meant it whe she said "till death do us part".....

 

If Pertronix makes a 6v unit, use that, or just use points,....and points don't care if it's 6 v, or 12v.

4TTRUK

 

IMO the easiest solution to running a 12V ignition is to change the car over to 12V, and provide drops to the stuff you want to keep 6V.

It has been mentioned here a couple of times that SOME big trucks used 4 6 volt batteries, this is true with older trucks, but on most all civilian trucks these are feeding off a 12V system, and where 6 volt batteries are used, they are wired in series in pairs, one pair to run the truck and the other pair was used to provide 24 Volts for starting, A "series/parallel switch" was used to disconnect most of the 12 volt system, and shoot 24 volts to the starter ONLY when the starter was engaged.

The last truck I saw wired this way was made in the early 80s, now trucks generally use 3 or 4 12 volt batteries wired in parallel.

The old systems were ***bersome and prone to starting and charging issues. as one part or another of the complicated (and costly) solenoid would fail. NOT a practical answer for the 6 to 12 volt issue, and in fact, it still would not provide a means of running the ignition and charging the batteries at the same time.

A 12 volt conversion is easy cheezy, cheap, and ***ide from the battery itself, will look all but identical from it's 6 volt counterpart.

 

well actually...
thats what kept me from switching to 12 volt. i didn't want that ugly alternator sitting on top of the flathead. the 12v generator \ alternator was ridiculously priced. everyone here has great inputs when it comes to switching over, basically the idea here is do what makes you happy and you have options....
Raf
good luck.

 

Well I guess I didn't consider that a 12V generator might not fit the flathead, I used a 64 Falcon generator in my 55 Lincoln, it was a little different but not much... I wouldn't want an alternator on my flathead either...

Might want to check this thread out....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432953

 

This one is even BETTER!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=572702&highlight=8ba+generator

 

Give up Squirrel, they're going to drag you down to their level and beat you with experiance.

 

That thread was awesome!! It's archived by "tommy" called "flathead generator conversion" I'm going to have to keep an eye out. Thanks, good find!

 

Petronix makes a 6v postive ground setup. I run one in my f100 works like a champ. I have no urge to go 12v and prefer to keep it 6v cause of the uniqueness.