Auto - 6 volt with a 12 volt battery

[Blitzem]

Is it possible to have a 12volt battery, have it reduced to 6 volt to be compatible with a 6 volt system and still be able to maintain the 12volt battery by way of an inverter or something?

 

[James]

It is possible, however it will be less efficient because of the losses in conversion and expensive if you need much power.
What is the application?

 

[Blitzem]

It is possible, however it will be less efficient because of the losses in conversion and expensive if you need much power.
What is the application?

Preserve a 6 volt vehicle system but have the benefits of a 12 volt battery like running accessories and using a common battery between vehicles.

 

[James]

You could keep the 6v batt system and use something like this to give you a small 12 socket for accessories.
Max output in this range is 0.5A at 12v

https://docs.rs-online.com/895f/0900766b8169025c.pdf

 

[telectrix]

or buy 2 x 6V batteries connected in series. same principal as HGVs with 2 x 12V batteries to get 24V and 12V.

 

[James]

or buy 2 x 6V batteries connected in series. same principal as HGVs with 2 x 12V batteries to get 24V and 12V.

Problem is the vehicle will only have a 6v alternator so can’t charge the 12v battery array you have suggested.
[automerge]1589781861[/automerge]
Hgv
Have have both a 24v alternator and 24v starter motor

 

[telectrix]

what about this then. 6v in; 12V 10A out.
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGITEN-Converter-Regulator-Waterproof-Module/dp/B019GY2FLW

 

[PEG]

Hi,i take it the vehicle also has a 6V starter?

 

[Marvo]

You can get a buck converter / DC-DC converter but you won't easily find one powerful enough to run high current devices like windscreen wipers or starter motors.

I'd forget trying to have one battery for the two vehicles, I'd use a 6V battery for the 6V vehicle then fit a 6v-12v DC-DC converter in it to run new accessories like satnav, sound system etc.

 

[Blitzem]

Hi,i take it the vehicle also has a 6V starter?

Yes complete 6 volt system

 

[PEG]

Hi,i cannot see a reason why you would not have the original 6V battery.

You will struggle to find an off-the-shelf dropper,to cope with heavy 6V use,from a 12Vbattery,of which the starter will be primary.

You could convert accessories,starter and charging system,to 12 volt,but this would be expensive and may de-value a collectors marque.

You could use a step-up charge controller,to charge a 12V battery from a 6V system,but you would have two batteries,and have to keep that separate,although the earthing would be common.

I am certainly not advocating this,but......as a lad,i had a bench DC power supply,with 6 different voltages,obtained by having an old battery from me mum's Triumph Herald,with 4 carefully fitted woodscrews,allowing 2.2 volts to 12 volts,in steps of 2 ish volts

 

[ruston]

@PEG. I remember these well.
They are sill available too.