Big Buddy 6V Power Source

[Nordern]

Howdy, does anyone power their Big Buddy with a rechargable 6V battery? I hate using all those D-Cells. If you do this how do you connect the battery to the heater? I know there is a 120V/6V adapter available; can you just get that, cut off the plug, and connect the wires to the 6V battery?

[Jim Almquist]

That plug size is a pretty standard size and you might just be able to pick one up at a RadioShack unless you already have a broken transformer with the correct end on it or a 6v transformer that you could connect up to a 12v battery and use a inverter.

[MuskieJunkie]

I've been wondering about this too as I already have a 12v system in my portable for lights (like most of us do) there's got to be an easy way to convert that 12v down to 6 and run a wire to the heater. Has anyone tried it or is knowledgable enough to explain to us how to wire it?

I found this online, apparently all you need to 2 resistors to do it

e-how 12v to 6v

[JCR]

To go from 12 volt DC to 6 volts, is not an easy thing, since there is no such thing as a DC transformer. If you use dividing resistors they will have to be low enough resistance so that the load of the big buddy is negligible with respect to the load drawn by the resistors. This will result in too great a load on the 12volt system and hence rapid discharge of the battery. To do this correctly you need a voltage regulating diode circuit, which involves more components and complexity. You could get a small 12 volt invertor that would convert the 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC, and then use the 120 volt AC to six volt DC adaptor to run the Big Buddy. At least this way you can do it with comercially available components.

[Surreal Deal]

I think that you're on the right track Nordern, don't get caught up in trying to convert from 12v when a secondary 6v rechargeable battery can be had for less than $20.

My upgrades this year will be some improved lighting and a Big Buddy. I plan on toughing out this season with the D batteries and upgrading to a rechargeable 6v next season.

Good Luck!

[Jim Almquist]

There is a company ( Powerstream ) that makes a 12v to 6v transformer and they also have many different tips. Do a search for 12v to 6v transformer. Cost is around $20.00

[walleyewild]

Why not use a cell phone vehicle charger and just wire in the right end from Radio Shack, or look for one that only puts out 6V. I have seen them put out between 3 and 6 V.

There are vehicle chargers that have a verible voltage output with different ends, just be sure that if the connector is center positive that you wire it up that way.

Hook it up to a vex battery and a female cig plug recepticle and away you go.

WW

[JCR]

Power Stream does make a 12 volt DC to 6 volt DC convertor that could be used. There is no 12VDC to 6VDC transformer. Transformers transform only AC voltages.

[Jim Almquist]

Thanks for the correction Never gave it a thought as to what it was doing. When I did my search I called it a transformer and it was able to find it. Thank goodness the search engine is smarter then me

[timjones]

Just use a 7806 voltage regulator and a couple small capacitors for stability since you'll be running a fan motor. I'm in the process of rigging one up for my big buddy. Connect the input of the 7806 to the 12v battery and the output to the big buddy and your good to go. It'll take a little wire and soldering.

[JCR]

Retired thats a great method if you have the skills to build it. It will take a heat sink for the 7806, some capacitors, and some reasonable packaging. This is probably whats in the 12/6 volt convertors that you can buy from Powerstream.

[timjones]

Took a look at the Powerstream stuff. Spendy! You really don't need all that expensive input/output load regulation circuitry they put in them things. All your doing is running a fan. I made a quick sketch of my circuit a little bit ago. I'll have more than just the regulator circuit because I want to control three strings of leds also, each switched individually. Might add a second 6v output also for future expansion.

[Ed Carlson]

TIP: The rechargeable 6V battery commonly used in outdoor sporting applications, such as in the "Robo Ducks", will fit in the Big Buddy battery compartment with just a tiny bit of modification. Keeping two charged up, one in the Big Buddy and ready one for a spare. For long weekends of continuous fan usage, a spare on battery on hand would be wise.

I have also seen a ingenious modification where guys bought rechargeable D's, wired them in a group as they would fit into the Big Buddy battery compartment, then silicone shrink taped them into a quick interchangeable module. Same principle, rechargeable spare packs.