Lancia Motor Club

 Hello all.

Has anybody ever used, or is using, one of those converters that step 6 volts up to 12 volts ?

Just thinking of when I may come to fit a concealed radio or such like.

Thank you.

I have not used a step up converter but have fitted a step down converter 12v to 6v  to retain the 6 v wiper on my now 12v Augusta. It works perfectly with no change to the speed of the wiper and no more overheating. Probably a case of trying it?

Mike

For more than 10 years, I am using a Statron 2238 voltage converter in my 6 Volt Augusta. It drives the satnav, the heater blower and charges my phone. It's perhaps a bit large for the job, but lasts for a while. I am sure there are similar products to be found in the internet.
Karl

Thank you Mikenoangelo. It shows they do actually work either way for sure.

Thank you Kari. I've searched for that make with no joy I'm afraid. Always good to hear of reliable items.

To operate a radio / cassette and maybe a phone charger, what amp output would I need do you think ? A minimum of what perhaps ?

Here's a link https://www.ampire.de/RETROSOUND/installation-examples/Opel/Opel-Kadett/Kadett-A-1962-65/STATRON-DC-DC-converter-from-6-to-12-VDC-10A-with-E1-approval.htm?shop=ampire_en&SessionId=&a=article&ProdNr=2238.0&p=2494

Thank you Jay. That's really helpful.

Aprilia37,
Your questions about using various devices off the 6V -12V converter: Phone charger and satnav are drawing only a small current, about 1 to 2 amps. No problem there.
However, a car radio, especially with a cassette player would be drawing more than 5 -7 amps, depending on the size of the speakers.

The generator in the early Aprilia is the same as in the Augusta, the output is 90 Watt only. If you run a car radio you'll use more than half of it already and the voltage of the electrical system will drop to a level which will not charge the battery enough. This in daytime with the headlights off!

A few thoughts about car radio in an vintage car: I only can speak about the Augusta but the Aprilia does not differ much. When driving, there is a fairly high level of ambient noise, like engine and wind, especially when the windows are down.
To hear anything from the speakers, the volume must be quite high. Where to install speakers, hidden? Aerial? It might be necessary to shield the ignition cables and plugs and fit noise suppression to the generator.
I went through all this on my Augusta, but in the end I did remove the car radio. Peace returned.

Further, here all the national FM stations will be switched off by the end of this year, the future will be DAB+

Karl

That's REALLY helpful, thank you. If I DO go through with it then the output of the converter is crucial, clearly. I ran a cassette player in a couple of 40's Riley's I used to own, but, they were 12v to start with. So, this is clearly a different ball game. Maybe I need to be looking at converting to 12 volt ? Or, find another way to play music ? Thanks again for that. I'm grateful to you.
 

Bluetooth speakers and bone conducting headphones are other ways to go.  Another idea for 12v extras is a total loss system from a second battery.

most people don't realise that the standard voltage on a usb is 5v , my dad made a step down from 6v to 5v for running sat nav and phone etc , saves the energy loss in going from 6v> 12v > 5v

Thank you DavidLaver.  By that you mean a 12v battery remotely mounted, say in the boot ?  Then just charge individually when required ?

Wow ! Clever Dad is all I can say !!  That sounds like a great idea !!