The Ford Barn

Anteek29 · 11-11-2018, 07:54 PM

Might want to install a CD stereo in my '55 Vic with the stock 6 volt system.
I know a 6 VDC to 12 VDC inverter will be needed but am concerned about
grounding compatibility? Surely this has already been addressed previously

dmsfrr · 11-11-2018, 08:31 PM

You might consider mounting the new CD stereo in the glovebox... isolated from the body of the car and powered thru separate wiring from a mid-sized 12v battery (lawn tractor size?) in a box in the trunk. Charging that battery every week should be sufficient, depending on how much you use it.
The very few 6 to 12 volt converters I've used (admittedly ages ago) seemed to buzz or hum thru the speakers.

If the new unit is also a radio I'm not sure if having the antenna mounted/grounded to the body may or may not affect anything. My first guess is that it doesn't matter.

.

Anteek29 · 11-11-2018, 10:27 PM

Dennis...yes, my intent was to isolate the stereo unit from the car's metalwork.
Guess my other option is to do the stereo upgrade if I convert the Vic to 12 volt
system.

poolplayer1 · 11-17-2018, 02:05 PM

I have a 55 ford station wagon that I converted to a 12v system.That would be an option.I also have a 52 ford customline that I wanted to keep original so I left that one alone with its 6 volt positive ground system.I did not want to put a cd player since cd's are going to be obsolete soon so I put in a small USB player to listen to my oldies.
I installed a small positive ground power inverter to power the usb. The usb does not have the audio power that the cd player has but its loud enough.You can get the inverter (eighter positive or negative ground) from Custom Auto Sound in California.

dmsfrr · 11-17-2018, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteek29

. . . if I convert the Vic to 12 volt system.

Here's a link about the 6v to 12v conversion. It was written for T-Birds but 99% of it should be the same.

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/6to12.php

Anteek29 · 11-17-2018, 09:37 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have so many music CDs available. Dmsfrr suggested to use a 12v battery mounted in the trunk to power the stereo. A similar approach might be to mount a Lithium jump charger under the dash as a 12v power source.

Oh well, not on my top priority list at the moment...

runmikeyrun · 11-21-2018, 12:00 AM

There’s some pretty cheap voltage boosters on amazon that seem to work ok. I bought a two pack to run a 12v motorcycle headlight from the factory 6v magneto. Make sure you get one that’s rated for the current draw of your head unit and then add 20% for safety and longevity of the unit.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-11-2018, 07:54 PM	#1
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	12V Stereo/6V System? Might want to install a CD stereo in my '55 Vic with the stock 6 volt system. I know a 6 VDC to 12 VDC inverter will be needed but am concerned about grounding compatibility? Surely this has already been addressed previously __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-11-2018, 08:31 PM	#2
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,607	Re: 12V Stereo/6V System? You might consider mounting the new CD stereo in the glovebox... isolated from the body of the car and powered thru separate wiring from a mid-sized 12v battery (lawn tractor size?) in a box in the trunk. Charging that battery every week should be sufficient, depending on how much you use it. The very few 6 to 12 volt converters I've used (admittedly ages ago) seemed to buzz or hum thru the speakers. If the new unit is also a radio I'm not sure if having the antenna mounted/grounded to the body may or may not affect anything. My first guess is that it doesn't matter. . Last edited by dmsfrr; 11-11-2018 at 11:20 PM.

11-11-2018, 10:27 PM	#3
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: 12V Stereo/6V System? Dennis...yes, my intent was to isolate the stereo unit from the car's metalwork. Guess my other option is to do the stereo upgrade if I convert the Vic to 12 volt system. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-17-2018, 02:05 PM	#4
poolplayer1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 399	Re: 12V Stereo/6V System? I have a 55 ford station wagon that I converted to a 12v system.That would be an option.I also have a 52 ford customline that I wanted to keep original so I left that one alone with its 6 volt positive ground system.I did not want to put a cd player since cd's are going to be obsolete soon so I put in a small USB player to listen to my oldies. I installed a small positive ground power inverter to power the usb. The usb does not have the audio power that the cd player has but its loud enough.You can get the inverter (eighter positive or negative ground) from Custom Auto Sound in California.

11-17-2018, 09:37 PM	#6
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: 12V Stereo/6V System? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have so many music CDs available. Dmsfrr suggested to use a 12v battery mounted in the trunk to power the stereo. A similar approach might be to mount a Lithium jump charger under the dash as a 12v power source. Oh well, not on my top priority list at the moment... __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-21-2018, 12:00 AM	#7
runmikeyrun Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 124	Re: 12V Stereo/6V System? There’s some pretty cheap voltage boosters on amazon that seem to work ok. I bought a two pack to run a 12v motorcycle headlight from the factory 6v magneto. Make sure you get one that’s rated for the current draw of your head unit and then add 20% for safety and longevity of the unit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk