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trickdog60
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Northern Michigan
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 Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 2:50 pm Post subject: 6v to 12v conversion |
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My '64 is 6v. The 6v wiring and electricals are more robust than 12v. If I simply replace the 6v with a 12v battery, what harm will occur? I've used a 12v to start and the starter works fine. Will the 6v generator/regulator charge the 12v battery? Coil? Wiper motor?
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current: '64 convertible, all original, 30K miles
priors owned and operated since 1962....
'67 bug
'67 bus
'61 Ghia
'59 bus
'61 bug with sliding rag roof
'66 bus
'57 bug |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3711
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 4:08 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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4I have run my stock 6 volt starter and solenoid on 12 volts for near 4 decades. Some do recommend that the solenoid however be changed to 12 while keeping the 6 volt starter as the12 volts can really slam the gear into the ring gear and cause wear, but so far ok for me.
You MUST change the generator, regulator, coil, light bulbs, wiper, etc.. for 12 volts or in the case of the wiper, use either a voltage drop or solid state current limiter. These parts can be destroyed on 12 volts!!!!!
Given todays 6 volt LED light bulbs, and solid state voltage doubling invertors for things like the stereo, one may keep the 6 volt system with success
In the old days, running a 12 volt stereo, or trying to get super bright lights was difficult with six volts, not so bad these days.
Given you got an original 30k mile Bug, Id stick with the 6 volts, but consider six volt LED bulbs, and if you want a modern stereo, you can get some specialty 6 volt units or get a modern inverter step up unit to allow 12 volt radios to be operated.
30 k miles!!! Lets see some photos of her!!!
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Zundfolge1432 
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 12565
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| Try the 8 volt conversion it costs less |
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KingAir42
Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2002
Posts: 615
Location: Bakersfield California
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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"Given todays 6 volt LED light bulbs, and solid state voltage doubling invertors for things like the stereo, one may keep the 6 volt system with success"
I have a solid state voltage regulator on mine, I'm interested in how I can use it for either a stereo or charging my phone.
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3711
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 8:26 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| KingAir42 wrote: |
"Given todays 6 volt LED light bulbs, and solid state voltage doubling invertors for things like the stereo, one may keep the 6 volt system with success"
I have a solid state voltage regulator on mine, I'm interested in how I can use it for either a stereo or charging my phone. |
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/6v-12v-converters.html
https://www.macsautoparts.com/power-inverter-posit...693-1.html
https://www.powerstream.com/dc6-12.htm
An inverter is different than the voltage regulator, The regulator is used in conjunction with the cars generator to provide the correct voltage for the cars main system. On old Bug the regulator sits on top of the generator, it is stock item. in later bugs it was mounted under the rear seat.
An inverter is a type of voltage convertor so as one can step up the 6 volt car power to 12 volts so in as to run say a 12 volt stereo, charge a cell phone or such.
Above is linked is some of the voltage convertors for sale that can convert 6 volt to 12 volt so as to run a 12 volt accessory. I have not verified the above are all new tech inventor technology, so some may still be the older type which do not provide clean power, so do your research before purchase
The old tech like I had 45 years ago used a vibrator to produce a choppy AC signal at 6 volts, then stepped it up via a transformer to 12 volts, then attempted to converted the choppy AC back to DC at 12 volts, hence the unclean power. New inverter technology however can provide a very clean DC 12 volts, which is what is needed for modern electronic accessories, and no buzz noise on your speakers.
Back some 45 years ago I used one for running a 12 volt cassette deck am fm stereo in my 6 volt Bug, but back then these convertors used old technology and were electrically noisy, creating a hum on the speakers. I was able to filter it somewhat with a capacitor and inductor, but now days modern converters have come a long way
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KingAir42
Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2002
Posts: 615
Location: Bakersfield California
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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Cool, thanks for the links. I’ve not had a stereo nor a phone charger for the last 3 years as a daily driver. I can get by just fine, but I really love music while driving.
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EVfun
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012
Posts: 6125
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| trickdog60 wrote: |
| My '64 is 6v. The 6v wiring and electricals are more robust than 12v. If I simply replace the 6v with a 12v battery, what harm will occur? I've used a 12v to start and the starter works fine. Will the 6v generator/regulator charge the 12v battery? Coil? Wiper motor? |
Every light bulb will burn out but not before the points fail from excess current. The wiper motor will just fly and then just stop. If you have a radio it will almost certainly die, but it may have a 6/12 volt switch to allow you to keep it. Your gas gauge should be cable operated and not care. I’ve heard a 6 volt horn squeak on 12 volts but don’t know how fast it fails. The 6 volt starter will spin like crazy.
I suppose you could try adjusting the voltage regulator until it puts out 14 volts, if you still have the original mechanical style. I don’t think it would charge below 2500 rpm.
Zerotofifty covered it well.
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Fender38
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2015
Posts: 110
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| zerotofifty wrote: |
An inverter is different than the voltage regulator, The regulator is used in conjunction with the cars generator to provide the correct voltage for the cars main system. On old Bug the regulator sits on top of the generator, it is stock item. in later bugs it was mounted under the rear seat.
An inverter is a type of voltage convertor so as one can step up the 6 volt car power to 12 volts so in as to run say a 12 volt stereo, charge a cell phone or such.
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An inverter converts a DC source into and AC output. What you're describing here would be a DC to DC converter. Done either by a transformer or solid state device. |
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slayer61
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2021
Posts: 1168
Location: TX
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| Fender38 wrote: |
| zerotofifty wrote: |
An inverter is different than the voltage regulator, The regulator is used in conjunction with the cars generator to provide the correct voltage for the cars main system. On old Bug the regulator sits on top of the generator, it is stock item. in later bugs it was mounted under the rear seat.
An inverter is a type of voltage convertor so as one can step up the 6 volt car power to 12 volts so in as to run say a 12 volt stereo, charge a cell phone or such.
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An inverter converts a DC source into and AC output. What you're describing here would be a DC to DC converter. Done either by a transformer or solid state device. |
Um... there's no rise and fall of a sine wave in a DC circuit. As such, a transformer won't "transform" DC voltage.
Of course the exception would be "pulsating" DC. As created by a DC drive or vfd
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| Cusser wrote: |
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
3/4 race cam? What's missing, one of the lobes?  |
Paul
'68 Manx clone... Sears??
RLR/Strange brakes
2276 built on AS21 case
W-125 w/ GB 1.25:1 rockers
Mahle forged pistons
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3711
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| slayer61 wrote: |
| Fender38 wrote: |
| zerotofifty wrote: |
An inverter is different than the voltage regulator, The regulator is used in conjunction with the cars generator to provide the correct voltage for the cars main system. On old Bug the regulator sits on top of the generator, it is stock item. in later bugs it was mounted under the rear seat.
An inverter is a type of voltage convertor so as one can step up the 6 volt car power to 12 volts so in as to run say a 12 volt stereo, charge a cell phone or such.
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An inverter converts a DC source into and AC output. What you're describing here would be a DC to DC converter. Done either by a transformer or solid state device. |
Um... there's no rise and fall of a sine wave in a DC circuit. As such, a transformer won't "transform" DC voltage.
Of course the exception would be "pulsating" DC. As created by a DC drive or vfd |
The 6 v DC is converted to Ac using an Inverter, or in the old days a vibrator, the 6 v AC is passed into a transformer to step up to 12 V AC, then passed thru a rectifier to make it 12 V DC, Filters are also used to give a smooth noiseless 12 DC output.
Vibrator (old tech)...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrator_(electronic)
Invertor (modern device)...
https://www.electrical4u.com/power-inverter/#google_vignette
Rectifier...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectifier
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Fender38
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2015
Posts: 110
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 10:12 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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| slayer61 wrote: |
Um... there's no rise and fall of a sine wave in a DC circuit. As such, a transformer won't "transform" DC voltage.
Of course the exception would be "pulsating" DC. As created by a DC drive or vfd |
Yeah, I meant to type boost converter, which is a solid state DC - DC converter, as I said. |
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trickdog60
Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Northern Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2025 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: 6v to 12v conversion |
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Thanks for the flood of INFO. With all this, I think I'll just buy a new 6v battery and replace the negative ground strap, and live for another day. Another 6v battery is a lot less hassle than the conversion, and I never drive in the rain or at night.
_________________
current: '64 convertible, all original, 30K miles
priors owned and operated since 1962....
'67 bug
'67 bus
'61 Ghia
'59 bus
'61 bug with sliding rag roof
'66 bus
'57 bug |
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