Powering a GPS with 6 volt.

Chris Haynes

Chris Haynes

Well-known member
Months ago I read about a device to let you use 12 Volt negative ground GPS and Power Port with a 6 volt positive ground system. But now searching I can't find it. Any leads? TIA
 
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Both Snyders and Brattons (and probably other suppliers) have two things that could be used. First is a power converter/inverter that converts 6-volt positive ground systems power to 12-volt negative ground.

The other item is a USB Charging port which has two USB charging ports and can be used with either 6 or 12 volt. The USB charging port will need a power source such as the A-Plate sold by the vendors or other power such as a "cigarette lighter" type receptacle.

Search the vendor's web sites for the correct part numbers.

Also, Tom Endy has a tech article on the Santa Anita A's web site or the Jan-Feb 2009 Restorer on how to make a setup for the power inverter.


Ken
 
A couple of years ago Tom Wesenberg posted an article how to wire a cigar lighter to be an outlet for a cell phone charger or something similar. Charger output for the cell phone was only 5 volts negative ground as I recall and think the GPS is the same. Might use the search function and look for some of his posts or maybe "cell phone charger" or some similar wording.


Al
 
I use a TomTom in my CCPU on 6 volts and it works great. If your GPS plugs into a USB port(5 volts), it will work on 6 volts. They usually have a GPS cigarette lighter power supply which has a voltage regulator circuit in it to keep the output voltage to the GPS unit constant at 5 volts. You just need to wire a cigarette lighter with the negative for the case and the positive to the center contact. With the case wired to negative, you have to insulate it from the Model A's positive ground when you mount it.
 
AL in NY said:
I use a TomTom in my CCPU on 6 volts and it works great. If your GPS plugs into a USB port(5 volts), it will work on 6 volts. They usually have a GPS cigarette lighter power supply which has a voltage regulator circuit in it to keep the output voltage to the GPS unit constant at 5 volts. You just need to wire a cigarette lighter with the negative for the case and the positive to the center contact. With the case wired to negative, you have to insulate it from the Model A's positive ground when you mount it.
Click to expand...

Yup - spot on and what i was gonna say haha.
 
My Garmin works great on 6-volt positive ground Model A. Just be sure you reverse the polarity on the socket. I have run it for several years with no problem.

W. Michael
 
Post number 9, by Recounditon is the way to go, i also bought mine on amazon and put in a 39 chevy. i would suggest to run it directly off the battery and to fuse it, that way you will have it connected right to work with any GPS or 12 volt device. This will work on any 6 volt system and if you come from the battery you will know pos, neg wires will be connected right.
 
Reconnoiter said:
I used one of these converters....works great. Installed it hidden behind left lower cowl panel and attached a cigarette lighter socket outlet and ran it to the passenger side under the dash. Under $20 in Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/KNACRO-Conve...of-Module/dp/B073GHM3QW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I was originally guided to it when I read this thread:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210338&highlight=Inverter

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I also used one of the power converters. And after burning out two plugs for the GPS, I realized what I did. Remember the Model A is a positive ground and the 12 volt systems are negative. I learned the hard way! Hook it up to accommodate this situation.
 
$10 at walmart is all it takes, can run a GPS, charge the phone, change my bluetooth speaker with no problems, and easy to hook up, only two wires.
12V or 6v...doesn't matter. It's not the volts you need concern yourself with...it's the amps, and a 6 volt will handle that with ease.
Can even get one with a cigerette lighter if you like
 
burner31 said:
$10 at walmart is all it takes, can run a GPS, charge the phone, change my bluetooth speaker with no problems, and easy to hook up, only two wires.
12V or 6v...doesn't matter. It's not the volts you need concern yourself with...it's the amps, and a 6 volt will handle that with ease.
Can even get one with a cigerette lighter if you like
Click to expand...


Just be sure those "two wires" are hooked up to the correct polarity!
 
Those low cost converters work good, except for a cb radio. When you ground the antenna, things go south. The two grounds don't like each other. Maybe if I isolate the antenna base??? Most everyone in our club use a CB.
 
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