Can 12V horn from '50s' be adapted for 6V system?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Been looking for a cheap 6V beep horn but have 12V horn. Can the 12V horn be converted to 6V and still have the same volume ??

[Lawson Cox]

Doubtful you will get the right sound,

[Westernswede]

Use it. It will just sound sick. Thanks for letting me comment. I need 9 posts before I can do anything else on this forum.

[slowforty]

They sell converters that change six volts to 12 volts. Google it ,as I cant find the information I had. Worked good on my 12 volt siren

[Eagle43]

Originally Posted by slowforty

They sell converters that change six volts to 12 volts. Google it ,as I cant find the information I had. Worked good on my 12 volt siren

Here's one that I bought recently that should work.

[Matt F]

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I have a few old 12 volt horns and a small 6-volt lantern battery. I use the battery to test the sound and the volume of the horns. Some don't work at all, others are surprisingly good. You may not know until you try.

Matt

[19Fordy]

I wonder if you could use a resister in the horn wire and drop the incoming 12V to 6V?
I think you need a 60 ohm resister.

[19Fordy]

Couldn't you reduce the 12V to 6V by using a resister on the line?

[koates]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Couldn't you reduce the 12V to 6V by using a resister on the line?

He wants to use a 12 volt horn on a six volt system. Placing a resister in line will only make the situation worse. The best way out is really to get a six volt horn. Regards, Kevin.

[drolston]

Maybe try a rheostat with adequate current capacity, like a heater fan motor controller. Adjust voltage down with the knob until you get the correct sound.



The wire from the horn relay to horn should connect to one end of the rheostat coil, and the other end of the coil go ground. The wiper, adjusted to 6 volts, would go to the 6 volt horn,

[koates]

Originally Posted by drolston

Maybe try a rheostat with adequate current capacity, like a heater fan motor controller. Adjust voltage down with the knob until you get the correct sound.



The wire from the horn relay to horn should connect to one end of the rheostat coil, and the other end of the coil go ground. The wiper, adjusted to 6 volts, would go to the 6 volt horn,

Read my post #9. What you are suggesting with a rheostat will only drop the voltage. He needs the voltage stepped up. Read the original question please. Regards, Kevin.

[paul2748]

12 volt horns that operate on less than 12 volts usually sound like a sick cow. But then you cold be lucky and it sounds ok.

[19Fordy]

Ok, I got it. My reading skills are lacking today. Thanks.

[Ken T]

I have zero experience using one, but this might work.

https://thirdgenauto.com/product/6-v...verter-10-amp/

[drolston]

Originally Posted by koates

Read my post #9. What you are suggesting with a rheostat will only drop the voltage. He needs the voltage stepped up. Read the original question please. Regards, Kevin.

RTFQ!

Learned that as a freshman, but it got lost some time in the past 64 years
Sorry.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Thanks, Eagle43. I ordered a 6V to 12V converter shipped to my door for less than $10.


It was kind of fun to read all the posts here though. I understand why 6V-12V-6V gets mixed up. Most questions here are usually on how to run old 6V things after a conversion to 12V, not the other way around.


I had an old 12V horn that I wanted to run on my original 6V car and I got my answer.

Thanks!

[Jack E/NJ]

> > had an old 12V horn that I wanted to run on my original 6V car and I got my answer> >


So does this mean your old 12v horn runs OK on 6 volts or not?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

It makes sound. Sort of.....
When I get the converter in the mail we will see if it is better then.

[rjlester]

Originally Posted by Ken T

I have zero experience using one, but this might work.

https://thirdgenauto.com/product/6-v...verter-10-amp/

I use one of these in my 54 Meteor to power a 12v power port, and a hidden Bluetooth transmitter in the ashtray. Also have a few USB charge ports. Works great.

I did have to replace it after I fried it by accident. Hooked up a charger for about an hour, forgot and had the charger on 12 volts. The battery and the rest of the electrics in the car were fine, but the 12 volt booster was dead.

Great booster, I highly recommend it.

[Eagle43]

Originally Posted by rjlester

I use one of these in my 54 Meteor to power a 12v power port, and a hidden Bluetooth transmitter in the ashtray. Also have a few USB charge ports. Works great.

I did have to replace it after I fried it by accident. Hooked up a charger for about an hour, forgot and had the charger on 12 volts. The battery and the rest of the electrics in the car were fine, but the 12 volt booster was dead.

Great booster, I highly recommend it.

This is why I just buy the cheap Chinese ones which generally work fine until they don't. Check the voltage when you order them. A lot of them only go down to 10V not 6. I've fried quite a few over the years. Easy to screw up and let the magic smoke out.