Well, well.

AudaciousQuip · 24th August 2011, 01:44 AM

Hi everyone. I'm here because I'm a little bit of an electronics nerd, and a little bit of an audiophile.

The reason I'm drawn to the DIY aspect of audio electronics is because my car has a 6V electrical system and I'm trying to creatively power a halfway decent stereo with it.

Pano · 24th August 2011, 01:53 AM

Welcome to the forum!

6V car system, eh? That's a blast from the past. Post over in the Car Audio section to see what they have to say.

AudaciousQuip · 24th August 2011, 01:54 AM

I have a sneaking suspicion they're going to tell me how easy it is to convert to 12V. But I'll give it a try! Thanks.

Pano · 24th August 2011, 01:57 AM

Ha! Yes. Not a problem I remember having to deal with. Though I did convert my old 59 VW to an 8 volt system. It was pretty much 6V by the time it got to the end of the wires.

SY · 24th August 2011, 02:02 AM

Positive ground?

Pano · 24th August 2011, 02:05 AM

Oh no, please say it ain't so!

AudaciousQuip · 24th August 2011, 02:06 AM

No no ... it's 6 volt negative ground, at least. 1954 Pontiac. If the car was only one year newer, it would be factory 12V, but that's neither here nor there ...

Pano · 24th August 2011, 02:10 AM

The second biggest problem with 6V is that you just can't get much power out of it, even into 2 ohm speakers.
Biggest problem is finding the gear that will work on 6V, of course.
Sure hope you don't have to build your own DC/DC power supply.

AudaciousQuip · 24th August 2011, 02:13 AM

Honestly, I've given up on big power until I can afford the specially-converted Sony amps sold on the VW forums.

My sound system right now is:
+6V --> phone charger guts, stepping down to about 4.5V --> USB computer speakers

Considering USB is limited to 500 mA, and 5.0V, my power is limited to 2.5W as an absolute max. I think I'd be happy if I could muster 20W or so right now.

Pano · 24th August 2011, 02:16 AM

I'd be interested to read what Perry Babin over on the Car Audio section has to say.
Please post over there. Provide details of what you have and what you want to do. Include a budget.

24th August 2011, 01:44 AM	#1
AudaciousQuip diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island, NY	Well, well. Hi everyone. I'm here because I'm a little bit of an electronics nerd, and a little bit of an audiophile. The reason I'm drawn to the DIY aspect of audio electronics is because my car has a 6V electrical system and I'm trying to creatively power a halfway decent stereo with it.

24th August 2011, 02:02 AM	#5
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Positive ground? __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

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24th August 2011, 01:53 AM	#2
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Welcome to the forum! 6V car system, eh? That's a blast from the past. Post over in the Car Audio section to see what they have to say.

24th August 2011, 01:54 AM	#3
AudaciousQuip diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island, NY	I have a sneaking suspicion they're going to tell me how easy it is to convert to 12V. But I'll give it a try! Thanks.

24th August 2011, 01:57 AM	#4
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Ha! Yes. Not a problem I remember having to deal with. Though I did convert my old 59 VW to an 8 volt system. It was pretty much 6V by the time it got to the end of the wires.

24th August 2011, 02:05 AM	#6
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Oh no, please say it ain't so!

24th August 2011, 02:06 AM	#7
AudaciousQuip diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island, NY	No no ... it's 6 volt negative ground, at least. 1954 Pontiac. If the car was only one year newer, it would be factory 12V, but that's neither here nor there ...

24th August 2011, 02:10 AM	#8
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	The second biggest problem with 6V is that you just can't get much power out of it, even into 2 ohm speakers. Biggest problem is finding the gear that will work on 6V, of course. Sure hope you don't have to build your own DC/DC power supply.

24th August 2011, 02:13 AM	#9
AudaciousQuip diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island, NY	Honestly, I've given up on big power until I can afford the specially-converted Sony amps sold on the VW forums. My sound system right now is: +6V --> phone charger guts, stepping down to about 4.5V --> USB computer speakers Considering USB is limited to 500 mA, and 5.0V, my power is limited to 2.5W as an absolute max. I think I'd be happy if I could muster 20W or so right now.

24th August 2011, 02:16 AM	#10
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	I'd be interested to read what Perry Babin over on the Car Audio section has to say. Please post over there. Provide details of what you have and what you want to do. Include a budget.

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