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Old 03-01-2020, 08:42 AM   #1
shew01
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Default Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

I'm not fond of the idea of cutting a hole through the firewall for a manifold heater. If the hole was already there, I would probably have a different opinion, but there isn't already a hole.

My car is 6V positive ground. So, I've searched for a 6V water heater for a while. I would think that a number of 6V cars are still around, and I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be a 6V solution. I've seen Arvin heaters on eBay, but I'm guessing that they are going to need lots of "tender love and care" to get them to work (because most of them are probably already worn out before they landed on eBay).

This seems to be about the smallest footprint for a heater that I've found, but it is 12V. I'm guessing that this heater is also negative ground.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...BTU,73715.html

Has anyone converted this heater (or a similar heater that can still be purchased new today) from 12V to 6V positive ground?
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Old 03-01-2020, 09:43 AM   #2
CT Jack
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

Using a hole saw on your firewall is a whole lot easier than what you are thinking of doing. I hope you realize there is also a cover that goes over the hole when the heater is removed. When all said and done it is hardly noticeable.
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Old 03-01-2020, 09:57 AM   #3
The Master Cylinder
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Using a hole saw on your firewall is a whole lot easier than what you are thinking of doing. I hope you realize there is also a cover that goes over the hole when the heater is removed. When all said and done it is hardly noticeable.
Yes, but I understand CT Jacks dilemma. It about killed me when I finally decided to add a brake light to my RH rear fender. SOCal traffic and safety factor won out. Drilling holes in pristine metal doesn't come easy.

I'm wondering, can you use a 6v to 12v step up converter. Your just looking to run the fan, correct?? May be easier than changing the heater from 12v to 6v.
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Old 03-01-2020, 09:59 AM   #4
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

If you have the talent and the time, and just cash to spend, look at :https://www.classicparts.com/1947-54...ctinfo/68-005/
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Old 03-01-2020, 10:51 AM   #5
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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I'm wondering, can you use a 6v to 12v step up converter. Your just looking to run the fan, correct?? May be easier than changing the heater from 12v to 6v.

Hmm.... That’s correct. I’m only needing to run the fan at 6V.

Can anyone recommend a step up converter?



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Old 03-01-2020, 11:12 AM   #6
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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I believe some of the vendors offer a hot water heater in either 6v or 12 v.
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Old 03-01-2020, 11:42 AM   #7
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

Snyders sells a small 7" square unite with 6 volt fan.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword
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Old 03-01-2020, 12:30 PM   #8
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Has anyone converted this heater (or a similar heater that can still be purchased new today) from 12V to 6V positive ground?
Just swap out the 12V motor for a 6V one.
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Old 03-01-2020, 01:14 PM   #9
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Snyders sells a small 7" square unite with 6 volt fan.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword
WOW!! Look at the difference in price between a 6v and 12v unit!!
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Old 03-01-2020, 03:08 PM   #10
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

I am having same thoughts. Working on a AA truck. I intend to drive it pretty much year round and toying with the heater idea. I will need to replace a cracked exhaust manifold so I’m not opposed to the manifold heater but wondering how effective it is? My firewall doesn’t have the hole yet either. I have thought about a hot water heater. There is another thread about this here too.
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Old 03-01-2020, 04:20 PM   #11
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Snyders sells a small 7" square unite with 6 volt fan.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword


Thanks for the link. I thought I checked Snyder’s earlier. I just have missed them. Does anyone have any experience (pictures) for this model? I wonder what the blower switch looks like and where it would mount.


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Old 03-01-2020, 04:23 PM   #12
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Thanks for the link. I thought I checked Snyder’s earlier. I must have missed them. Does anyone have any experience (pictures) for this model? I wonder what the blower switch looks like and where it would mount.


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Old 03-02-2020, 12:43 PM   #13
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Originally Posted by shew01 View Post
Hmm.... That’s correct. I’m only needing to run the fan at 6V.

Can anyone recommend a step up converter?
The converters out there are designed for positive voltages/negative ground only. Not impossible to design a negative to negative converter, but you won't find any - no demand. What's available won't work unless you fully insulate the fan housing from chassis ground. It will be at -6v battery voltage, the 'hot" side will be at +6V.

The converter will also need to be capable of delivering the current required by the motor, listed on its label.

The heater may work if you simply connect -6V to the 'high speed' wire and ground the frame, tape off the low speed wire. The motor will run at half speed, but direction of rotation depends on motor type. My hunch is it will still blow and not suck.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:28 PM   #14
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

PM sent
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Old 03-03-2020, 10:32 AM   #15
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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Originally Posted by Badpuppy View Post
The converters out there are designed for positive voltages/negative ground only. Not impossible to design a negative to negative converter, but you won't find any - no demand. What's available won't work unless you fully insulate the fan housing from chassis ground. It will be at -6v battery voltage, the 'hot" side will be at +6V.

The converter will also need to be capable of delivering the current required by the motor, listed on its label.

The heater may work if you simply connect -6V to the 'high speed' wire and ground the frame, tape off the low speed wire. The motor will run at half speed, but direction of rotation depends on motor type. My hunch is it will still blow and not suck.
It would be simpler to use a dropping resistor.
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Old 03-04-2020, 10:50 AM   #16
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

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It would be simpler to use a dropping resistor.
6v to 12v is not a drop. Requires a boost converter.
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Old 03-04-2020, 11:07 AM   #17
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

Oops, I guess I had my thinking cap on backwards.
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Old 03-05-2020, 09:39 AM   #18
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Default Re: Has anyone converted a 12V heater to 6V?

shew01 check your inbox.
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