Cruise Control question

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I would like to install cruise control on my 54 Sedan. I am still running 6 volt so I would have to get a device to step down the voltage on the cruise control unit to 6 volts. Has anyone done this? If yes what brand cruise control unit did you buy? Any issues to be concerned with?

Thanks,
Doug

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Actualy you would want to do the opposite . Get a Power inverter to boost the 6 -volt positive ground up to 12 volt negative ground . Then hook that up to your cruise unit.
    These are available from various places and in sizes according to your need.
    Roger
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    edited December 2011
    Doug, what you need is a 6v to 12v converter so you can run the 12v cruise control. They're very available, in various power capacities for different applications. A cruise control doesn't use much power, so a suitable converter isn't very expensive. Decide on the cruise control unit first ... check the spec's and see how much current it draws. Multiply that by 12 to see what wattage it consumes, then choose a voltage converter with about twice that wattage.

    One hint ... if you get it up and running and it won't stay engaged very long, it may be radiation interference from the spark plug wires. Go to resistor-type wires or change the wire from the cc unit out to the ignition coil or distributor to a shielded wire and it should be OK. Several of us have experienced that problem.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Just get a cheap 12 volt battery, stick it in the trunk and make sure you lock it down. Get the unit from J C Whitney and install modern plug wires. This Is negative ground so power and ground the unit only, as it has the wire to ground. Just charge the battery 3 times a year. It's like my clock, it still runs on 6 volts using a house alarm battery and has been running now for 10 years, with a off and on switch. Going on a trip I turn it on. I charge it twice a year with a motorcycle battery charger. Walt.
  • Snailslayer
    Snailslayer Expert Adviser
    Perhaps a smaller 12V battery Sealed lead acid battery would also work. There are 12V 12AH (amp hour) or 12V 18AH batteries on EBay from a company called Gruber that are used for kids power wheel toys, scooters and electric wheel chairs and battery backups. they are like $25ea and are Sealed. you can use a normal 12v 2amp charger to charge it up overnight. They are relatively small and will last 2 hours in a power wheel with my kid WOT the entire run so a smaller draw should last a long time as Walt mentioned.

    If you only had a 6V charger, you could also buy 2) 6V batteries and run them in parallel to get 12V while in use, and flip the wires to charge in series at 6V. just a thought.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Just get a motorcycle 12 volt and you can run the cruise for 20 hours with no worries. Just remember, connect positive to the juice wire, and negative to the ground wire on the cruise main body. Do not ground the car body. Walt.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Thank you guys for all the good feedback. You have given me several options to consider.

    Doug
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Of course you could always go the old-fashioned way and fit a bowden cable to hold the throttle open!
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