6V to 12V converter

[Dick M]

I run a 6V positive ground system. I have a Laycock overdrive. It uses a solenoid to engage the unit. I want to install a 6V to 12V converter for the overdrive. I have not found a positive ground converter.
Is there a way to use a negative ground converter on a positive ground system? Or, is a positive ground converter available?
Your help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Herb Concord Ca]

Hi Dick, the solenoid used on that O/D will work just fine on 6V. Even though it was designed to be used in 12V cars.

 

[Doug Linden]

Herb is correct, that solenoid works just fine with a stock 6 Volt system. No need for a 6 to 12 volt inverter.

 

[Ray in La Mesa]

Have a Laycock in the s/w & it works fine on 6V pos. ground.

 

[Ruth]

Hi Dick, the solenoid used on that O/D will work just fine on 6V. Even though it was designed to be used in 12V cars.

Herb is correct, that solenoid works just fine with a stock 6 Volt system. No need for a 6 to 12 volt inverter.

Have a Laycock in the s/w & it works fine on 6V pos. ground.

I hear the 12 volt solenoid work good on 6 volts.

 

[JayJay]

OP asked about 6V+ to 12V- converters. I installed this one I got from Bert's. Set up a 12V fuse block with fuses for the 12+ (load) and jumps for a common ground 12-. You need to be careful that you do not connect 12- ground to the chassis, just to the converter.

But it acts a bit funny. It powers my CB through a cigarette lighter adapter just fine, but for some reason won't charge my phone through a cigarette lighter USB adapter in the same socket even though that adapter works fine in my other cars. I'm going to have to experiment to see just what will charge through the system, I have a rechargable jump box that has USB output that I may be able to McGuyver to work to charge my phone.

 

[Dave Mellor NJ]

It's a lot harder to go from 6v to 12v than from 12v to 6v. for that all you need is a resistor

 

[Dick M]

Thanks to all who responded. I have been running the Laycock for over 10 years. Recently, it started to flutter in and out of overdrive when engaged. I thought perhaps the 12v would keep it engaged.
The Model A Gods took pity on me. I was under the car yesterday and found a slightly loose connection at the overdrive. Tightened it up and the overdrive again works perfectly. Sometimes the smallest unnoticed issue can be the answer.

 

[rotorwrench]

Inverters lose some energy in the conversion which would further tax an already low output charging system.

 

[ModelA29]

The solenoid is just an electro magnet. It doesn't care about polarity. There are some that are not polarity sensitive but not as common.