12 volts to 6 volts conversion

[David Pollock]

voltage multiplied by amperage  = wattage  so  lights and motors designed to run on 12v draw only half the amperage as those designed to run on 6 v  therefore, wire sizes can be reduced. The same formula applies to household circuits.  However, if you double the voltage supplied to a device designed for, in this case, 6 volts, it will draw four times the current and its life expectancy will be greatly reduced.

Most auto clocks of the 40s were regular clockworks with an impulse winding mechanism that fired every two minutes or so. It would be very difficult to determine just how much resistance would be necessary to limit the current in this circuit but you can easily imagine how fast the points will burn if four times the current is imposed upon them.   Other clocks used what was called a Jaeger works which drew a more or less constant current and it would not be too difficult to find a resistor of the correct value to limit this current.

What I have used, successfully on fuel gauge circuits is a small light bulb such as that found in a fender marker light on modern cars. Wired in series with the gauge, it glows dimly and reduces voltage to about 6v. Something similar might work with the Jaeger type clock.

Electrical components such as heater motors should be changed for 12 V units.  Any resistors applied to these circuits in order to allow use of 6v components will be making a great deal of heat when they are in use.

[Go Fleiter]

same as wipers has to be considerd with defroster and heating fans! Go

[elmo]

my 54 was converted to 12V in 1989  my auto electrician told me he used  a resistor from a early 6v volkswagen to reduce the voltage for the fuel gauge. the first one burnt out in under one month , since then after replacing it i have had no problems, the choke still works well , but if you have electric wipers you should have a resistor on these ,mine was never done , i didnt even think about them .when i first turn them on they go really fast but after a while slow down to normal speed . i really should do something about them but as they are still going alright after 17 years and i have 2 spare wiper motors and also it is a ,pain to work under the dash i will leave them untill they start giving trouble. i also live in an area where they are not needed a lot , we do not have a high rainfall and snow only settles on the ground about once every ten years if we are lucky

[Go Fleiter]

consider the choke coil, it may be sensitive to higher tension while activated more minutes than starter plus solenoid. Go

[John Hendricks]

JC Whitney has a gizmo that would work for the clock and fuel gauge

[brianz]

I have converted my 46 Special Deluxe to 12 volts.  I have a working clock and would like to have it function in this new setup.  Is there an easy way to step down the voltage from the 12 volt to 6 volts for the clock?