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01-25-2021, 08:32 AM | #21 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
This is another argument for converting to 12V. All the modern goodies are 12V negative ground.
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01-25-2021, 10:29 AM | #22 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
Quote:
5V fans can be had, just be sure they're physically the same size. The heavy dimmer switch will keep the speed down at 7V, and they will last longer. |
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01-25-2021, 10:31 AM | #23 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
I was addressing the request in post #1 for a switch.
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01-25-2021, 11:19 AM | #24 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
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Thanks for the link. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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01-25-2021, 01:17 PM | #25 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
This one rated to 6V -
https://www.amazon.com/RioRandTM-Upg..._t3_B07T35JDTR The fans in post #9 have plastic housings, which are probably insulative, but check with an ohmmeter to make sure. Fans don't draw much current; their labels will specify. |
01-25-2021, 01:44 PM | #26 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
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Its not that 6v cant do the job, its the availability of components that limits you. heat, AC, music, seat heaters, lighting, GPS, just about any addition you want to do is available in 12v. As you add components you raise your ampacity requirements, the model a generator is good to 30a,most off the shelf 12v alternators are under 100 bucks and provide 60a at the minimum.. |
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01-25-2021, 01:51 PM | #27 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
A solution that you might consider: I have a 12 V power brick with both 12V and USB outputs that I carry with me to power my 12V accessories (like charge my phone) rather than mess around with trying to convert accessories. No reason you could not rig an SAE adapter to the 12V input of the fans and connect to the brick. Not elegantly wired in, granted, but you'd only need your heater part of the season and it might be acceptable to just run a pigtail down to the floorboard. You can also jump the battery using the 12V in a pinch.
JayJay
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01-25-2021, 06:04 PM | #28 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
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Thanks for the link. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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01-25-2021, 06:11 PM | #29 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
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Thanks for posting that picture. I think you posted it in the past on another thread, and I was thinking about hunting for it. By any chance, would you have an Amazon link to it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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01-25-2021, 06:12 PM | #30 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
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That’s an interesting thought. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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01-25-2021, 06:25 PM | #31 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
That's a custom design brother, I bought the pieces and figured the rest. The concept is simple, though in some places I ran multiple function off of one relay, for instance ignition, fuel pump and main relay to fire the fuse panel
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01-25-2021, 08:03 PM | #32 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
Many of the parts I have found are advertised as 12V parts. However, for now, I think I'd like to stay with a 6V positive ground system and make smaller changes rather than make all of the bigger changes that would be required to convert to 12V. I'm not necessarily opposed to 12V in the future, but I recently purchased a new 6V horn, my 6V alternator works fine, my battery works fine, and my headlights work fine. For now, it doesn't make sense to replace a bunch of hardware that is working.
Based on the various responses to this thread, I think I have two viable paths to pursue when I purchase this heater (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08CZTND...v_ov_lig_dp_it) in the next couple of days or so. Please help me validate these ideas. I'm not very skilled with amps, wire gauges, etc., and I don't want start a wiring fire in my car. Plan A (run everything at 6V):
Plan B (add a 6V to 12V step up converter):
Am I at risk of overloading anything with either of these plans? Do I have circuit protection in the correct places? |
01-25-2021, 08:10 PM | #33 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
Thanks. You are WAY more skilled than I. :-)
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01-25-2021, 08:18 PM | #34 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
I may be wrong, it has been many decades since I took electrical theory classes, but if the voltage is cut in half the fan speed will be cut by 1/4. Power is volts times current. I think the current is cut in half because the voltage is half and the voltage is half. So 1/2 times 1/2 is 1/4.
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01-26-2021, 03:59 PM | #35 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
[QUOTE=Badpuppy;1977827]Power is proportional to the square of current. Fans will run about 1/2 speed.
See nkaminar's post at #34. Yes, power is proportional to current squared but consider this. Resistance is volts divided by current and remains constant. Power is voltage multiplied by current. Halve the voltage and the current is also halved (constant resistance). Looking at power in terms of current only, it is resistance by current squared. One half multiplied by one half is one quarter. The fan runs at 1/4 power.
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01-26-2021, 09:56 PM | #36 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
Power = Amps X Volts (remember P=IE, it is a piece of pie!)
The minor disagreement with Synchro909 is that you are usually trying to maintain a given level of power, like a 5 watt light bulb. So, if you are trying to provide the same level of power at 6 volts instead of 12 volts, you must double the current. This is why the wire gauge in a 6 volt car is bigger than in a 12 volt car. The age old rule is that if you want to switch to 12 volts, your wiring is not a problem but all your light bulbs, etc must be changed. |
01-27-2021, 12:26 AM | #37 | |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
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01-28-2021, 11:02 AM | #38 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
I stand corrected for my fuzzy thinking: V/2 ~ P/4.
In my defense, (somewhat) axle friction and wind resistance will be reduced, and the motor will spin rather faster than expected. |
02-01-2021, 10:04 AM | #39 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
I love LED lights how about a red LED next to the heater control switch make a small polished stainless plate and hang it from the bottom screws on the dash.
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02-01-2021, 05:47 PM | #40 |
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Re: How difficult would it be to convert this water heater from 12V to 6V?
The heater arrived over the weekend, but I’m going to wait for warmer temperatures before I start working with it.
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