6V amp mod

sevend9camaro · 31st March 2010, 08:15 PM

I have a 1960 VW Bug that is still on a 6VDC system. I want to be able to have some tunes! Basically what i want to do is modify the amp to run on 6VDC with a 12VDC output to run a head unit off of. I know that this can be done, but i dont want to spend 350 bucks to have someone else do it for me. I just dont know where to start.

Perry Babin · 31st March 2010, 09:51 PM

What amp do you have?

bob91343 · 31st March 2010, 10:33 PM

You need a boost converter. These take many forms. The smartest way would, I think, be to build a converter with some germanium power transistors or modern FETs. Another approach would be a second 6V battery that you put in series with your car battery, and charge it when not in use.

A third, perhaps more sophisticated method would be to use two 6V amplifiers with a phase inverter driving one, and connect your load between the outputs, bridge style it's called. I used this system to get more than 20 Watts from an 8wpc stereo amplifier.

dangus · 1st April 2010, 09:53 AM

J.C. Whitney used to sell 6V to 12V converters. Hit a few car parts swap meets (the season starts about now) and you may pick one up for a few bucks. You need 12V for the head unit anyway.

How about converting the car to 12V? I'm fairly sure you're not the first person to do it, so there's probably complete instructions out there somewhere. It would make for a much more practical car to drive, not to mention easier starts, brighter headlamps, etc.

sevend9camaro · 1st April 2010, 06:13 PM

Yes, I could convert to 12v, but the car has been 6v for the last 50 years so i want to keep it that way, there are fewer and fewer 6v bugs running around these days. There is a guy on thedsamba.com that sells an amp that has been converted/modified to accept 6v input and has a 12v output to run the amp. I am sure that he has built a converter circuit inside the amps housing, and that is where he is getting the power to run both the amp and the head unit. The problem is he is charging 350 for the amp. I have several amps laying around the house, I am fairly knowledgable with a soldering iron, and i believe that i have the skills nessacery to modify one of my amps.

The problem with the converters that i have seen is they only put out one amp if not less, not really enough to run a radio, let alone an amp on. I am not wanting to get a booming bass system, just enough to run some 6X9's.

sevend9camaro · 1st April 2010, 06:15 PM

TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 6 Volt Power Amplifier 600 Watt 4Ch

This is what i am trying to replicate. I do not wish to convert to 12v as the car was built with 6v, and everything else is still original.

Perry Babin · 1st April 2010, 06:18 PM

Post a list of the possible candidates (amps you have) for modification.

firechief · 1st April 2010, 06:23 PM

Post the models of both the amp and head. This all depends on how much power you will be consuming, then we can start.

Bob_345 · 2nd April 2010, 03:01 AM

ok buy a 12v battery and isolate the stereo circut from the rest of the cars electronics, buy a 12v alternator , dont replace the 6v one and you are good. dependin on the space around the engine, 2 alternator should work. its been done before and with great succsess

poopydoopynoopy · 2nd April 2010, 03:31 PM

Convert that car to 12v.

31st March 2010, 08:15 PM	#1
sevend9camaro diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	6V amp mod I have a 1960 VW Bug that is still on a 6VDC system. I want to be able to have some tunes! Basically what i want to do is modify the amp to run on 6VDC with a 12VDC output to run a head unit off of. I know that this can be done, but i dont want to spend 350 bucks to have someone else do it for me. I just dont know where to start.

31st March 2010, 09:51 PM	#2
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	What amp do you have? __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

1st April 2010, 06:18 PM	#7
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	Post a list of the possible candidates (amps you have) for modification. __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

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31st March 2010, 10:33 PM	#3
bob91343 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	You need a boost converter. These take many forms. The smartest way would, I think, be to build a converter with some germanium power transistors or modern FETs. Another approach would be a second 6V battery that you put in series with your car battery, and charge it when not in use. A third, perhaps more sophisticated method would be to use two 6V amplifiers with a phase inverter driving one, and connect your load between the outputs, bridge style it's called. I used this system to get more than 20 Watts from an 8wpc stereo amplifier.

1st April 2010, 09:53 AM	#4
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	J.C. Whitney used to sell 6V to 12V converters. Hit a few car parts swap meets (the season starts about now) and you may pick one up for a few bucks. You need 12V for the head unit anyway. How about converting the car to 12V? I'm fairly sure you're not the first person to do it, so there's probably complete instructions out there somewhere. It would make for a much more practical car to drive, not to mention easier starts, brighter headlamps, etc.

1st April 2010, 06:13 PM	#5
sevend9camaro diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	Yes, I could convert to 12v, but the car has been 6v for the last 50 years so i want to keep it that way, there are fewer and fewer 6v bugs running around these days. There is a guy on thedsamba.com that sells an amp that has been converted/modified to accept 6v input and has a 12v output to run the amp. I am sure that he has built a converter circuit inside the amps housing, and that is where he is getting the power to run both the amp and the head unit. The problem is he is charging 350 for the amp. I have several amps laying around the house, I am fairly knowledgable with a soldering iron, and i believe that i have the skills nessacery to modify one of my amps. The problem with the converters that i have seen is they only put out one amp if not less, not really enough to run a radio, let alone an amp on. I am not wanting to get a booming bass system, just enough to run some 6X9's.

1st April 2010, 06:15 PM	#6
sevend9camaro diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 6 Volt Power Amplifier 600 Watt 4Ch This is what i am trying to replicate. I do not wish to convert to 12v as the car was built with 6v, and everything else is still original.

1st April 2010, 06:23 PM	#8
firechief diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Near Seattle Wa	Post the models of both the amp and head. This all depends on how much power you will be consuming, then we can start.

2nd April 2010, 03:01 AM	#9
Bob_345 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saratoga,CA	ok buy a 12v battery and isolate the stereo circut from the rest of the cars electronics, buy a 12v alternator , dont replace the 6v one and you are good. dependin on the space around the engine, 2 alternator should work. its been done before and with great succsess

2nd April 2010, 03:31 PM	#10
poopydoopynoopy diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 97220	Convert that car to 12v.

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