Can I Use a 12V Power Supply on a 6V? | Would be It Ideal?

The voltage should not be an issue if the device has its own internal switching regulator. However, if not, a high voltage supply can cause serious problems like overheating and destroying equipment. So, the answer is negative. 

Is It Idea to Use a 12V Power Supply on a 6V?

It is never recommended to use a 12V power supply on 6V. This will deplete your battery and result in a severe thermal runaway situation. Some individuals use a 12V charger to jump-start their 6V battery, however, it is never a good idea to try to fully charge your 6V battery with a 12V charger as well.

When it comes to charging your electrical devices, the most critical issue is electrical power. More specifically, your electrical equipment is only kept operational by a power supply that comes into your home. All you need to know is how to make the power adapter and your electronic equipment work together.

The Concerns 

If you check the details of a device, you can see both voltage and current rating in most. High current doesn’t cause a problem like high voltage. In most cases, you can ignore the current rating. It is the voltage rating that you should be most concerned about. 

If the voltage is twice, it will almost certainly cause harm. Unless the gadget to which you’re connected has an internal regulator capable of handling the 12v. The fact that the 12v supply has a lower current capability does not imply it will not cause harm. 

These devices are voltage-driven rather than current-driven, which means we power them up with a constant voltage, and they are constructed with that voltage in mind. All chances are off if you apply a voltage other than what it was built for. The consequences may not be obvious every time, but they will very certainly be ruined.

Consequences of High Supply

The voltage will destroy the semiconductors’ dielectric gate oxide. Due to the high voltage, the device will immediately explode. If burnout does not occur promptly, your gadget will undoubtedly become overheated, reducing its lifespan. As a result, we can conclude that overheating will kill your device in a matter of days.

Converting 12V Into 6V

By integrating a pair of 10,000-ohm resistors into the circuit, you may step 12 volts down to 6 volts. Cut two lengths of wire and cut 1/2 inch of insulation from each end of each wire. Connect one end of the first wire to the power supply’s positive terminal.

Another method is, using a 6V forward voltage drop diode to lower the voltage. In fact, use a 5.5V forward voltage drop diode so that your device receives 6.5 V, which is a little more than it requires but perfectly safe because the regulators used inside the device have considerably more margin.

Conclusion

If the voltage displayed on the adapter is lower than the voltage printed on your device, your device may not function properly unless the adapter offers the same current as the device. However, you should never try to use an adapter with a higher voltage than your electronic gadget requires.