6 Volt fixtures - 12 Volt battery

[Gerald_G]

Hi all.

I saw some really cool looking LED stick up lights the other day that would really work well in a small trailer, but they are powered by 4 AA batteries, which means they are expecting a 6 volt power supply.

I plan at this point to have a 12 Volt battery in my trailer.

I wonder what would be the most efficient way to get a 6V supply from a 12V battery. I might install a more than one of these types of items meant to run off of 4 X 1.5V batteries.

I know a bit about circuits, and realize I could likely make a voltage divider with resistors, but then 1/2 of the power consumed would be wasted in the form of heat (if I understand correctly).

I've found DC/DC converters for sale for fairly big $$ on the web, and they appear to be very much overkill for this need. They are all regulated, and more for something that requires a VERY specific and stable voltage.

Can anyone point me to a nice efficient way to get 6V from a 12V battery ?

Thanks
Gerald

[Podunkfla]

Gerald... That's easy to fix. Just wire 2 lights in series... and ya got your 12 volts.
And, you do have to get your polarity right or LEDs won't light.

[Gerald_G]

Thanks Podunkfla.

I should have thought of that, but it does still have one issue. Each fixture has a switch, so unless I bypass the switche on one and wire in the switch on the second, it could be a problem.

I'd have to turn them both on at a time, not one at a time that way.

[Podunkfla]

Thanks Podunkfla.

I should have thought of that, but it does still have one issue. Each fixture has a switch, so unless I bypass the switche on one and wire in the switch on the second, it could be a problem.

I'd have to turn them both on at a time, not one at a time that way.

Well, Gerald... No cheap idea is perfect, I guess.

You could use 2 6-volt batteries and tap one for the 6 volt stuff and both in series for the 12v stuff... But that is kinda spendy. If the lights are cheap enough (like some "tap lights" I've seen for $1.99) ...put the guts of 2 lights in one unit. Or, replace the insides with an automotive socket and use 12v LED auto bulbs... They are only about 6 bucks. That's what I am doing to a couple neat old brass lights I found.

[Gerald_G]

I considered the dual 6V idea. Apperently the big trailer guys do this for more battery life. Not sure I want to add two batteries though. (not just for LED lights.)

[bobhenry]

I considered the dual 6V idea. Apperently the big trailer guys do this for more battery life. Not sure I want to add two batteries though. (not just for LED lights.)

1157 taillight socket $3-$4 bucks at the parts house and 1157 bulb. ground the body of the socket and wire both pigtails to a double pole switch one will give a low light ( mood lighting ) the other ,the brake light filament will give bright light. There is also available a 120 v socket and bulb that is almost identical to this socket I used these to make a 12v or 120 v porch light for my next tear. ( just like Mr. Cash 1 piece at a time)

However ~~~dual 6v batteries will give you tremendous life when placed in series and still cheaper than some of the more exotic yellow top blue top bla bla bla 12v batteries !!!

[mikeschn]

Well, they are not LED, but if you decide to go the incedescent route...



You pull out the bulbs and get some 12v bulbs...


Hardwire it into your circuit, and voila...


Mike...

[Gerald_G]

The one I saw looks a bit like this one....

http://www.tradekey.com/selloffer_view/id/362753.htm

See how cool that would be on a trailer ceiling.

[Leon]

36 lights might be a bit much inside a teardrop. I have a light with 7 LEDs and it is almost too bright. You could use it by measuring the current draw and calculating the size resistor you need to drop the voltage down. Since LEDs don't draw much current it shouldn't take that high of a wattage resistor to limit the current to the fixture. Some of those type of fixtures have constant current circuitry to allow operation over a wide range of voltage sources.

[BrwBier]

If you had an old tar top battery you could just run a screw in the middle of the battery and get 6v from there. That's what they used to do back in the late 50s when cars changed over to 12v. That way they didn't have to change the radio,heater fan etc just the bulbs
Brwbier

[bdosborn]

Why not build a cheap voltage converter? This one is good for around an amp at any voltage you want.
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/ps-lm317.html
Bruce

[SSchumacherCO]

Or you could buy a cheap voltage converter. One that plugs into the lighter used for cell phones and the like. Just find one that puts out 6 volts and at least the current you need. RadioShack sells generic ones fairly cheap. Rip out the guts or use as is with an inline socket.

[madjack]

Why not build a cheap voltage converter? This one is good for around an amp at any voltage you want.
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/ps-lm317.html
Bruce

...and if you are not into building one, Radio Shack sells several different varieties......................

[Podunkfla]

Or you could buy a cheap voltage converter. One that plugs into the lighter used for cell phones and the like. Just find one that puts out 6 volts and at least the current you need. RadioShack sells generic ones fairly cheap. Rip out the guts or use as is with an inline socket.

Yep... That's is a good idea.

Hmmm... Sometimes the best answer is just so obvious we overlook it?

[Leon]

Hmmm... Sometimes the best answer is just so obvious we overlook it?

Like a $ 0.20 resistor?