6V to 12V Converter

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This inverter circuit can provide up to 800mA of 12V power from a 6V supply. For example, you could run 12V car accessories in a 6V (British?) car. The circuit is simple, about 75% efficient and quite useful. By changing just a few components, you can also modify it for different voltages.

Schematic

Parts

Part	Total Qty.	Description	Substitutions
R1, R4	2	2.2K 1/4W Resistor
R2, R3	2	4.7K 1/4W Resistor
R5	1	1K 1/4W Resistor
R6	1	1.5K 1/4W Resistor
R7	1	33K 1/4W Resistor
R8	1	10K 1/4W Resistor
C1,C2	2	0.1uF Ceramic Disc Capacitor
C3	1	470uF 25V Electrolytic Capcitor
D1	1	1N914 Diode
D2	1	1N4004 Diode
D3	1	12V 400mW Zener Diode
Q1, Q2, Q4	3	BC547 NPN Transistor
Q3	1	BD679 NPN Transistor
L1	1	See Notes
MISC	1	Heatsink For Q3, Binding Posts (For Input/Output), Wire, Board

Notes

L1 is a custom inductor wound with about 80 turns of 0.5mm magnet wire around a toroidal core with a 40mm outside diameter.

Different values of D3 can be used to get different output voltages from about 0.6V to around 30V. Note that at higher voltages the circuit might not perform as well and may not produce as much current. You may also need to use a larger C3 for higher voltages and/or higher currents.

You can use a larger value for C3 to provide better filtering.

The circuit will require about 2A from the 6V supply to provide the full 800mA at 12V.

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Comments

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Mr.HornY 6V to 12V Converter Monday, November 23, 2009 10:54:15 AM

Thanks for your stupid circuit, Iv got some problem with reading this... 1- Any punctual value for darned L1? 2- Why you didn't connect ground together?

wizard 6V to 12V Converter Sunday, August 30, 2009 2:13:38 PM

hello. i am trying to understand how things working.. you said that the circuit will require about 2A from the 6V supply to provide the full 800mA at 12V... if you use smaller amperage from 2A like 100mA and convert the current within the circuit, you cant get 800mA at 12V? i am looking forward for your reply Thank you

Newton Brawn 6V to 12V Converter Monday, August 17, 2009 1:21:29 PM

It is Working! And the load is 988mA! COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE THE ALL DIMENSIONS OF FERRITE CORE ?? regards

danan 6V to 12V Converter Tuesday, August 04, 2009 2:45:51 AM

how to make the coil L1 please give to me the clue

Daniël 6V to 12V Converter Monday, July 27, 2009 9:42:36 AM

I build it and the results are very good, I used the centerring of an old car-amplifier to make the coil and put 80 turns of 0.8mm D3 became 15V and the output is 15-16V with an input from 7.5-15V It gives al little noise ... it works very good with only a few comonents. current is 0.75A

Luca 5V to 12V Converter Friday, July 24, 2009 4:37:04 AM

Hello everyone, Let me know that I have to perform changes to your model, to build a converter from 5V to 12V. why would I need to take power from usb port of the laptop and maintenance of an antenna that operates at 12V and consumes only 6W. Could you help? Thanks in advance. Luke.

Bones 6V to 12V Converter Monday, June 29, 2009 5:43:10 PM

Is there any way to reverse this circuit? to convert from 12V to 6V? i've been checking out voltage stabilizer circuits and i found a few good ones but i have no idea what ratings too look for in resistors and diodes etc. any help would be highly appreciated. thanks,

kjay 6V to 12V Converter Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:24:44 PM

hey i cant seems to get the circuit to work... i bought the parts and wound the custom inductor... mount it on the circuit board it cant work... output voltage ard 1.53V? any help?

yakubu adamu 6V to 12V Converter Thursday, May 21, 2009 4:31:33 PM

its a great circuit and would be very useful.

Eliezer 6V to 12V Converter Friday, May 15, 2009 9:49:28 PM

Pals How can i do a converter from 10V to 12V? Best Regards!
(Editor's notes: The same way as this one is built.)

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Mr.HornY	6V to 12V Converter	Monday, November 23, 2009 10:54:15 AM
Thanks for your stupid circuit, Iv got some problem with reading this... 1- Any punctual value for darned L1? 2- Why you didn't connect ground together?
wizard	6V to 12V Converter	Sunday, August 30, 2009 2:13:38 PM
hello. i am trying to understand how things working.. you said that the circuit will require about 2A from the 6V supply to provide the full 800mA at 12V... if you use smaller amperage from 2A like 100mA and convert the current within the circuit, you cant get 800mA at 12V? i am looking forward for your reply Thank you
Newton Brawn	6V to 12V Converter	Monday, August 17, 2009 1:21:29 PM
It is Working! And the load is 988mA! COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE THE ALL DIMENSIONS OF FERRITE CORE ?? regards
danan	6V to 12V Converter	Tuesday, August 04, 2009 2:45:51 AM
how to make the coil L1 please give to me the clue
Daniël	6V to 12V Converter	Monday, July 27, 2009 9:42:36 AM
I build it and the results are very good, I used the centerring of an old car-amplifier to make the coil and put 80 turns of 0.8mm D3 became 15V and the output is 15-16V with an input from 7.5-15V It gives al little noise ... it works very good with only a few comonents. current is 0.75A
Luca	5V to 12V Converter	Friday, July 24, 2009 4:37:04 AM
Hello everyone, Let me know that I have to perform changes to your model, to build a converter from 5V to 12V. why would I need to take power from usb port of the laptop and maintenance of an antenna that operates at 12V and consumes only 6W. Could you help? Thanks in advance. Luke.
Bones	6V to 12V Converter	Monday, June 29, 2009 5:43:10 PM
Is there any way to reverse this circuit? to convert from 12V to 6V? i've been checking out voltage stabilizer circuits and i found a few good ones but i have no idea what ratings too look for in resistors and diodes etc. any help would be highly appreciated. thanks,
kjay	6V to 12V Converter	Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:24:44 PM
hey i cant seems to get the circuit to work... i bought the parts and wound the custom inductor... mount it on the circuit board it cant work... output voltage ard 1.53V? any help?
yakubu adamu	6V to 12V Converter	Thursday, May 21, 2009 4:31:33 PM
its a great circuit and would be very useful.
Eliezer	6V to 12V Converter	Friday, May 15, 2009 9:49:28 PM
Pals How can i do a converter from 10V to 12V? Best Regards! (Editor's notes: The same way as this one is built.)