Well, well.

[AudaciousQuip]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Positive ground?

 

[Pano]

Oh no, please say it ain't so!

 

[AudaciousQuip]

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]

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]

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]

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.