Guest jimstulga Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 There are times a GPS navigation system would come in handy in my 6V antique car, but is this possible? if "yes", who sells a converter for this? Thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ply33 Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Turns out that many, perhaps most, GPS units and smart phones with GPS capability charge off of 5v USB power. For a long while I rigged a simple 5v voltage regulator wired to a USB cable plug under my dash just being careful not to touch the negative "ground" on the USB connector shield to the positive ground of the car.But I'm thinking about simply wiring in what the accessory section of the parts book called a "cigar lighter" to the output of a 6v+ to 12v- converter. That would give me more flexibility to charge and run other types of low power devices. Something like this: http://www.classiccarstereos.com/category/6-to-12-Volt-Converters.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I run a TomTom right out of the cigar lighter on my 6 volt Buick.Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimstulga Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Power inverter looks like a good idea, but then came the reply to just plug it into the car lighter as is. I don't want to fry my GPS, so am wary, but maybe I'll try it if there are any others doing the same thing? Thanks. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ply33 Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I run a TomTom right out of the cigar lighter on my 6 volt Buick.Joe, BCA 33493Is your Buick a positive or negative ground system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Don't you use a smart phone for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narve N Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Here is my solution: 6 to 12V converter with some reverse wiring and an cigar lighter bundled into. Works with my TomTom (speedo on 29 Chrysler is actually showing 2% below real speed, more accurate than most moderns) and mobile phone charger. But such devices are also available across the counter I've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I have the power cord for the TomTom that plugs into the cigar lighter on the dash on my 12 volt daily driver. I have used the TomTom with this power cord on a 1953 Buick Special with 6 volts negative ground with no problem.Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ply33 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) . . . on a 1953 Buick Special with 6 volts negative ground with no problem. . .That make sense to me. Now the question is, does jimstulga have a positive or negative ground system on his car?Edit: Looks like jimstulga has a '41 Cadillac based on his posts. My '53 Chilton's shows the '40 through '42 Cadillac models as having a positive ground electrical system. Looks like they changed in '46 to negative ground.I'd be surprised if a GPS would charge off that directly and would not be surprised if it damaged or destroyed the charging circuitry in the GPS if you reverse the power polarity. Edited February 3, 2014 by ply33 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimstulga Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Jim here, I didn't think of the positive ground difference. Glad I waited before trying it. I have a 41 Caddy, 53 Packard and '30 Chrysler Junior all with 6v positive ground, so looks like the best solution for me is to go with a power converter OR like the one answer suggested, upgrade my cell phone and use that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Jim, Another option might be a small 12 volt battery (commonly used in alarm systems, trailer breakaway switches or computer backups and hook a cigarette lighter plug to it and then you can transfer it from car to car. If fully charged I would think it would run a gps for quite a while. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 How about a 12 volt jump box? They usually have a cigar lighter plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimstulga Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Bingo!! Thanks Larry for the jump box suggestion. I have one and just checked and it does have a cigar lighter plug. For the few times I will need it, this seems the easiest solution. Thanks to all for your help! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 You're Welcome. I'm just a simple guy for solutions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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