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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anonymous 6V to 12V Converter Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:49:40 AM

I made a 6V to 12 V converter as posted by you but the only problem i am facing is that the dc voltage isn't boosting more than given i.e 6 V..What could be the problem?I looked everywhere on the internet to solve the problem.

anonymous 6V to 12V Converter Thursday, November 22, 2012 5:47:13 PM

On any supply voltage above 6V, you risk reverse bias damage to Q1 and Q2 base-emitter junctions. (put fwd biased diodes in their emitter to ground connections) (all multivibrator circuits have this problem)

anonymous L1 Thursday, October 25, 2012 7:09:23 PM

AFAIK L1 is just a choke to stop switching noise from going back to other equipment and causing interference, so i'ts not that critical (unless this device is used with sensitive equipment......or not...)...

Mike 6V to 12V Converter Monday, April 23, 2012 4:48:51 PM

What is the inductance of L1? Does it have to be exact?

Tony 6V to 12V Converter Wednesday, March 14, 2012 11:12:23 AM

Hi just built the cct and it works a treat. Ideal for the job it's going to do. I did use a BD122 instead of the BD679, simply because I had one. Thanks a lot.

leena khaeche 6V to 12V Converter Friday, February 17, 2012 10:31:06 AM

sir tell me how to made an L1

Wasim Ahmed 6V to 12V Converter Thursday, November 10, 2011 1:53:10 PM

Why inductor L1 is used in this circuit???

maroun abboud 6V to 12V Converter Monday, January 03, 2011 4:23:46 AM

if i put bd139 in place of bc547 what happen. please send request to my email.

Audio DIY 6V to 12V Converter Friday, September 03, 2010 1:18:24 AM

is it possible to connect this circuit to car 12V supply to get 24V @ 2A

william 6V to 12V Converter Friday, June 25, 2010 10:40:32 PM

Hello everyone I wanted to know if this scheme works because I put it in and throw me out scooter 6 volts alternating and I Servino 12 volts to charge a 12 volt battery always and some neon

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anonymous	6V to 12V Converter	Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:49:40 AM
I made a 6V to 12 V converter as posted by you but the only problem i am facing is that the dc voltage isn't boosting more than given i.e 6 V..What could be the problem?I looked everywhere on the internet to solve the problem.
anonymous	6V to 12V Converter	Thursday, November 22, 2012 5:47:13 PM
On any supply voltage above 6V, you risk reverse bias damage to Q1 and Q2 base-emitter junctions. (put fwd biased diodes in their emitter to ground connections) (all multivibrator circuits have this problem)
anonymous	L1	Thursday, October 25, 2012 7:09:23 PM
AFAIK L1 is just a choke to stop switching noise from going back to other equipment and causing interference, so i'ts not that critical (unless this device is used with sensitive equipment......or not...)...
Mike	6V to 12V Converter	Monday, April 23, 2012 4:48:51 PM
What is the inductance of L1? Does it have to be exact?
Tony	6V to 12V Converter	Wednesday, March 14, 2012 11:12:23 AM
Hi just built the cct and it works a treat. Ideal for the job it's going to do. I did use a BD122 instead of the BD679, simply because I had one. Thanks a lot.
leena khaeche	6V to 12V Converter	Friday, February 17, 2012 10:31:06 AM
sir tell me how to made an L1
Wasim Ahmed	6V to 12V Converter	Thursday, November 10, 2011 1:53:10 PM
Why inductor L1 is used in this circuit???
maroun abboud	6V to 12V Converter	Monday, January 03, 2011 4:23:46 AM
if i put bd139 in place of bc547 what happen. please send request to my email.
Audio DIY	6V to 12V Converter	Friday, September 03, 2010 1:18:24 AM
is it possible to connect this circuit to car 12V supply to get 24V @ 2A
william	6V to 12V Converter	Friday, June 25, 2010 10:40:32 PM
Hello everyone I wanted to know if this scheme works because I put it in and throw me out scooter 6 volts alternating and I Servino 12 volts to charge a 12 volt battery always and some neon