VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt Voltage Booster

I have seen some posts on this subject and they have interested me. I would like to be able to charge my cell phone as well as be able to plug in a GPS unit in my 6 volt system. Does the following product description sound correct?

6V to 12V Step Up Converter, DROK DC 5V-11V to 12V Boost Converter Voltage Regulator Module 3A 36W Volt Transformer Power Supply for Car Stereo Radio Brand DROK
Power Source Corded Electric
Current Rating 3 Amps
Minimum Frequency 50 Hz
Item Weight 0.22 Pounds

My gps and phone’s charge fine on 6 volts.

According to Garmin, using less voltage than what the unit calls for could damage the unit.

Check what the power supply actually is supplying to your phone / GPS. Most USB chargers drop the voltage to 5v 2.5 amp or something like that. If yours does that then I see no reason that the charger could not drop 6 volt to the correct amount. Test it with a multi-meter and see if it works.

I put a step-up in my 38 for my GPS. After reading all of the folks saying their GPS's work fine on 6v I tried it with my 53. No good. It didn't/doesn't like a 6v supply. It would work OK for a few minutes then cut to internal battery for a while then work OK on car voltage for a while. I was afraid I was going to ruin it so I put a step-up in the 53. I have since converted the 53 to 12v so it's no longer an issue. Personal opinion is put a step-up in your car for the peace of mind if nothing else and charge on.

I have 6 v to 12 v converters in 2 of my cars to run 12 v radios, they work fine, I have not tried to run a phone or GPS with them. Both cars have an original type control head in the dash with cables that run to the firewall mounted radios so they appear stock.

Tiny and Ed - what 6 volt to 12 volt unit did you buy? Is it similar to the product information below? Thanks

6V to 12V Step Up Converter, DROK DC 5V-11V to 12V Boost Converter Voltage Regulator Module 3A 36W Volt Transformer
Power Supply for Car Stereo Radio Brand DROK
Power Source Corded Electric
Current Rating 3 Amps
Minimum Frequency 50 Hz
Item Weight 0.22 Pounds

The two I bought for the 38 and 53 were on ebay and were hand made by a fellow in the USA. I can no longer find them on ebay so he may have died or stopped making them. I did find similar from other sellers on the web but they are now made in China. <CLICK> I don't remember the exact specs but they would handle about everything except a high power thump-thump stereo. Sorry I can't be more help.

I don't remember the brand or the specifications and I am not at the cars right now. The one you show looks like it should work.

I tested the voltage booster today with a 6 volt flashlight battery. I connected a voltage meter to the output end and the reading was just above 13 volts. I also tested it using the actual 6 volt car battery and got the same reading. Is 13+ volts too high for a GPS or phone charger?

Also, if I wanted to install an inline fuse holder that would attach to the Accessory Junction Block, what size glass fuse should I use? I don't think the cigarette lighter had a fuse.

I would think 13 volts would be OK the voltage in a 12 volt car battery can test 13 volts fully charged
. Not sure about fuse size, I would start small and move up until it didn't blow in normal use.

Most 12v systems the Alternator (and possibley generators) have an output of 13.8 to 14.2v and most equipment is built to handle this as a normal setting.
Tony

Most lead acid batteries have a voltage of 2.1-2.2 volts per cell and require a slightly higher voltage to charge them .