Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

[KCLOST]

I recently purchased a nice little Coleman Radio that is a basic AM/FM system. It also has a spot light and a couple of flourescent lights on it that will be handy in the boat. The radio runs off of 6 D size batteries and it also has a power input jack for 6 volts of DC power (not AC). <br />I'd like to be able to hook it up the boat batteries.. Does anyone know of an easy way to convert 12 DC to 6 volts so I can then use a basic cigarete input jack to power the radio?

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

Radio Shack type stores sell them

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

Well I have already called Radio Shack and they don't have anything that will convert 12v to 6v...<br /><br />Help...

 

[Beernutz]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

JC Whitney sells converters.

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

humm I know they did at one time. If you called they may of not even looked for it. Go to the store and look in the catalog.<br />Given the quality of the workers at our RS they may not even know what it is

 

[Mike35]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

Try this page at Radio Shack. Hope this works. <br /><br />Radio Shack

 

[flashback]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

Hey boss, if your radio runs on 6 batteries then you need to convert from 12v to 9v, radio shack can do that for you.......goodluck

 

[Boatist]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

I agree with flashback. 4 D cell would be 6 volts and 6 D cell would be 9 volts. Radio has lots of adapters to convert. Some are fixed voltages and some adjustable in steps from 3 volts to 10 volts. The plugs will work for neg or pos center tips and lots of sizes.

 

[ms5712]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

got to walmart in the stereo section. they have what you need if the jack in the radio is like a headphone jack. i was in there looking for basically the same thing. it plugs into a car lighter and comes w/ all sizes of plug ins and the thing that plugs into the lighter has an adjustable voltage switch on it. i think its like 25 bucks. hope it helps

 

[bomar76]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

Asking Radio Shack employees is generally an exercise in futillity. They actively seek out the dumbest salespeople they can find (You've got questions? We've got blank stares).I have a similar unit and while it does take 9v in batteries, the dc input is 6v. Here is the item you need from the Rat Shak website: <br /> web page <br />6-Volt Vehicle DC-to-DC Adapter Model: 273-1859 1000mA output. Fuseless, self-resetting technology. Includes your choice of one Adaptaplug at no extra cost. Dual 12/24 multivolt VDC input. Power-on indicator. Output cord with Adaptaplug socket. 6-ft. cord.<br /><br /> <br />You will also need the correct adaptaplug for your unit. You can order all this online to avoid looking at the dweebs in the "stores"

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Converting 12 volt to 6 volts for a portable Radio

Thanks for all your help guys...<br /><br />BTW, the radio takes 4D size batteries not 6... <br />Anyway, I ended up getting what BOMAR76 Suggested... Hooked up the DC output jack on the boat and plugged everything in and NOTHING!!!!<br /><br />Couldn't get power to the Adapter... I tried it in the cars to make sure it wasn't my boat and it still wouldn't work. To make a long story short, went back to Radio Shack, got a replacement for free (and you guys are right they don't know anything in there). Tried it in the car and it worked, tried it in the boat and nothing! Again!!!<br />Well my dumb a** hooked up the DC output jack in the boat wrong... When did they start using white wires as ground and grey wires as positive anyway? Turns out I fried both adapters... <br />Made another trip to the Shack and got a different adapter just like the one ms5712 described, I used up all of the other ones they had... Works great after I switched the leads on the DC output...<br /><br />Thanks for all your help...