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Old 01-31-2015, 07:03 PM   #1
Old Henry
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Default Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

I know this has been discussed before but I couldn't find it. My recollection is that a 12 volt USB charger for iPhones and the like will work in a 6 volt lighter socket. Yes?
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Old 01-31-2015, 07:09 PM   #2
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

it charges my cell phone and works my gps--remember about polarity!!
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Old 01-31-2015, 09:22 PM   #3
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

i believe it MUST be negative ground.
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Old 01-31-2015, 10:00 PM   #4
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

Hi Craig, Yes it should charge OK. Check the phone charger specs plate and see if the output (into the phone) reads 5 volts DC. If so the charger will work on a 6 volt pos ground Ford provided you use a plastic body cigarette lighter socket with two separate insulated push on terminals on the back which will allow centre pin connection to go to the cars ground. This allows charging the phone Negative Ground. Regards, Kevin.
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Old 02-01-2015, 03:42 PM   #5
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

If I plug a usb charger into my lighter on my 38 it will safely run my gps even though the car is pos grd?
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Old 02-01-2015, 06:39 PM   #6
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36coupe, Yes it will charge your phone in a 6volt POS ground car providing the cigarette lighter socket is an all plastic body type which is insulated from the metal dash panel. The centre contact of the socket connects to ground and the outer contact inside the lighter plastic housing connects to a NEGATIVE power feed. DONT USE THE ORIGINAL FORD ALL METAL LIGHTER SOCKET as it is connected the wrong polarity (POS GROUND ) and cant be reversed. Regards, Kevin.
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Old 02-01-2015, 06:53 PM   #7
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

Where would One get that type of lighter socket?
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Old 02-01-2015, 07:20 PM   #8
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

I can charge my cell phone and run my gps on the 6V system in my 35 fordor, but I have the input to these devices set up to be negative ground. If you plug a regular cigar plug with cable into a dash receptacle connected as positve ground, something will fail. Maybe a fuse or maybe someting much worse.
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Old 02-01-2015, 07:34 PM   #9
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan View Post
I can charge my cell phone and run my gps on the 6V system in my 35 fordor, but I have the input to these devices set up to be negative ground. If you plug a regular cigar plug with cable into a dash receptacle connected as positve ground, something will fail. Maybe a fuse or maybe someting much worse.
I made an extensive post on this a few years ago. G.M.
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Old 02-01-2015, 08:12 PM   #10
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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I made an extensive post on this a few years ago. G.M.
Yes you did George. I believe you came up with some type of power inverter that you mounted in your glove box, but I can't remember all the details. I believe it worked better than 6v with correct polarity, especially when other loads on the system brought the voltage below what was necessary to charge or power a cell phone or gps. I never did find one of these inverters that you mentioned. I'm sure we can find the post with those details by doing a search.
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Old 02-01-2015, 09:34 PM   #11
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ght=cell+phone
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Old 02-01-2015, 10:37 PM   #12
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan View Post
Yes you did George. I believe you came up with some type of power inverter that you mounted in your glove box, but I can't remember all the details. I believe it worked better than 6v with correct polarity, especially when other loads on the system brought the voltage below what was necessary to charge or power a cell phone or gps. I never did find one of these inverters that you mentioned. I'm sure we can find the post with those details by doing a search.
John there are several 12 volt to 6 volt positive ground converters on Ebay
at this time. They are in a metal case about 2-1/2"s square. There are other larger converters that handle more amps. I have one in my 39 from when I tried a 12 volt computer fan to cool the fuel pump. A guy named Charlie from I think Ohio makes them. The small ones are made in Florida.
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Old 02-01-2015, 10:47 PM   #13
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

Here's an old thread on this topic. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...rge+cell+phone
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Old 02-01-2015, 10:49 PM   #14
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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Originally Posted by G.M. View Post
John there are several 12 volt to 6 volt positive ground converters on Ebay
at this time. They are in a metal case about 2-1/2"s square. There are other larger converters that handle more amps. I have one in my 39 from when I tried a 12 volt computer fan to cool the fuel pump. A guy named Charlie from I think Ohio makes them. The small ones are made in Florida.
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Did you mean 6v Pos ground to 12v Neg ground GM?
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Old 02-01-2015, 11:05 PM   #15
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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Originally Posted by dean333 View Post
Where would One get that type of lighter socket?

Here's a great little dual socket that could be installed under the dash and wired red to ground and black to battery on positive ground to do the job.



Available at O'Reilly's here: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0225&ppt=C0335

Here's one at AutoZone that could work as well but a little harder to install permanently:



Available here: http://www.autozone.com/lighters/cig...et/549249_0_0/

Here's the one I've had for a while with clamps on it for another purpose I'll probably install temporarily for this month's road trip.



Don't know where I got it. I like it best but can't find it now to recommend to others.
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Old 02-02-2015, 06:08 AM   #16
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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Originally Posted by Old Henry View Post
Here's a great little dual socket that could be installed under the dash and wired red to ground and black to battery on positive ground to do the job.



Available at O'Reilly's here: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0225&ppt=C0335
The dual socket one is the one that I used. I found it at Walmart IIRC. Charges my smart phone.
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Old 02-02-2015, 08:59 AM   #17
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Default Re: Can 6 volts charge an iPhone?

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Did you mean 6v Pos ground to 12v Neg ground GM?
Yea I get a little backwards sometimes. G.M.
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