Date:         Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:01:21 -0800
Reply-To:     Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
Subject:      Re: 6 V power supply to activate 12 V circuit-- possible?
Comments: To: colorworks@GCI.NET
In-Reply-To:  <AB27D455E1D74C64B14EFE390EF0BF12@troyb5bff49d63>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

A relay can start the 12V Westy pump from the 6V Coleman.
You need a relay where the coil is rated for 6V and the contacts for 
at least an amp or two. Auto relays are 12V. Maybe you can find a 6V relay in an auto or scooter store. Some scooters and mopeds use 6V. Another source is an electronics store. %V relays are common, and will likely work just as good at 6V.

Still, The simpler solution is just to run the original Coleman pump in the westy tank. You could pull the hose and wiring through a utility cover, e.g. the city water connection if you are not using it. Or buy a 4th utility cover and mount next to the exisiting 3.

Martin

--- On Sat, 2/27/10, Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET> wrote:

> From: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
> Subject: 6 V power supply to activate 12 V circuit-- possible?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Received: Saturday, February 27, 2010, 4:36 PM
> A question for the electrical gurus
> out there:
> 
> I have a Coleman hot water on demand that uses a 6 V
> battery to operate, and would like to set things up so that
> when I activate the Coleman, it starts the westy's 12 volt
> pump. My eventual goal is to have hot water outside the van
> using the on board water tank and pump. I could convert 12 V
> to 6 V to power the Coleman, but don't think it would have
> enough power to operate a pump with adequate pressure for
> longer distance, and this would mean two pumps, two lines,
> etc. So, trying to make the 6 V circuit power a 12 V
> circuit. Is this possible? Some type of switching relay
> perhaps?
> 
> I have the necessary connectors, etc. It's a project I've
> been thinking about since last year and would like to make
> it happen before camping season this spring. Since I no
> longer use the city water connection, I'm thinking of
> putting the connectors in behind that utility box or perhaps
> something at the rear of the van. Since I have an extend a
> stay on my propane tank, something on the side of the van
> might be nice to be able to use the existing propane source
> as  well. I have hooked up barbecue grills and such
> with the extend a stay, and it works pretty nicely.
> 
> When I finish this project I will post the pictures to a
> website for everyone else to look at. I'm sure others would
> be interested in such a setup.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Troy
> 


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