Does anyone know if it is possible to drop the voltage for an accessory from 12 volts to 6 volts. I have a nice set of high/low horns off of a 53 chief I would like to mount on the hack but they require 6 volts. Any ideas? Thanks
in the late 1950's when cars were changing from 6 to 12 volts we used to do that. don't know if voltage reducers are still availible or not. i haven't seen one since the mid 60's. try an auto parts store, maybe JC Whitney or a old car swap meet. good luck.
fly
It would take a simple transformer and yes, JC Whitney may just have it. If you have any old transformers laying around, you can apply 12 volts to one side and measure the voltage on the other side. You might get lucky and find one in your garage in an old radio.
Thanks for the replies. I also found a resistor used in the old ford 8N tractors that will reduce voltage from 12 to 6 volts. May just buy it to try it. Also I wonder if it would make that much difference applying 12 volts since it only runs intermittantly.
Probably not recomended but years ago we used to look for 6v horns and wire them to 12v...they got quite loud 🙂
In my earlier Hot Rodding days hooking up 6 volt horns to 12 volt electrics was common, as were other things that weren't using a constant power supply. Old 6 volt starters used to really spin a high compression engine with 12 volts.
For some other constant use applications we used to center tap the 12V batteries to get the needed 6 volts.
Lonnie
You are giving away your age Lonnie...sounds familiar though. I forgot all about messing with those batteries..lol.
The trouble with Volt-a-drop and similar resistor voltage reducers is they are very load sensitive( when they are cold they don't do anything). Kelsey-Hayes (spelling?) sells an adjustable resistor for electric brakes and the last time I checked the Volt-a-drop was still available at JC Whitney and several other places. In VW beetles I liked to use a dash light dimmer from a Kenworth or Pete to power the wipers. Adjustable from "O" to off the windshield. After all that blabin your horns will probably last a long time on 12 volts in intermittent use. To be on the safe side hook them up with a grounding button and a spade connection in the wire in case the button sticks.
Beep beep
David
Heck Claude,
I'm just glad to still be here. On my hind legs with the key to the door does it for me anymore.
Lonnie
I am glad you're here too Lonnie. Heck if I'd have ever thought I would have lived this long I would have kept better care of myself. Anyhow...good memories.
Ever charge up a condesor and lay it on the workbench..lol. Or spin a mag while someone was holding a wire....or...uh...okay enough..we are probably staying too far from whatever the topic was.Don't want to site police to bust us here.
A fuse or circuit breaker in the circuit is another safeguard.
Lonnie
Thanks for all the input. I think i will let it fly with the 12 volts and take Lonnies advice and fuse the line seperately with a low amp fuse. The majority of opinions seems to be the intermittant use of the horns should not bother them too much. Besides they will be air cooled! thanks
