Converting 6V Power Wheels To 12V

How To Convert 6V Power Wheels To 12V? It is essential to take care of power wheel batteries to prolong their life and ensure their maximum performance. You will learn how to safely convert your kid’s 6 volt Power Wheels to 12 volts in this article. Adding a second gearbox will provide much more traction for off-road use and effectively double the top speed.

Steps To Convert 6V Power Wheels To 12V

Following are some of the important steps one should follow to convert 6V power wheels to 12V.

Step 1: Take Off The Stock Wiring Harness

First, you’ll have to take the stock wiring harness off. Remove the protective channel cover on the underside, unscrew the dashboard, and then gently disconnect everything. The 6v harness consists mainly of 18-22AWG wiring and a few connectors and switches. From the factory, the car is set up so that it can easily accept 12V components. 

You can also install two DPDT switches on the dashboard, which are similar to those found in many 12v shifters. There are cut outs for a second motor/gearbox on the battery tray. There was a 12v version of this planned, but it was only sold with half the gear.

Step 2: Test The Replacement Wiring Harness

You will need a 12v wiring harness from a BPRO donor. You’ve probably collected some junkyard pieces if you’ve been modifying Power Wheels for a while. The wiring harness is easy to find if you have one. A matched pair of gearboxes is also required. 

Set everything up on the bench. A standard 12v harness consists of battery input, a footswitch for on/off of the throttle, two DPDT switches for high/low/forward/rev, and two motor outputs. Hook up the motors, connect the battery, and press the footswitch. Check the shifter switches and make sure everything is seated correctly if nothing happens. In case nothing works, try replacing switches with known functioning switches until you find the problem. As soon as it works on the bench, it’s time to put it in the car.

Step 3: Connect The 12V Harness To The Chassis To Convert 6V Power Wheels To 12V

Wire the motor outputs into the rear compartment, then route the majority of the wires along the underside. Place the footswitch inside the pedal area, and mount the DPDT shifter cluster within the dashboard. The shifter switches mount nicely on the dashboard. 

To install a 12v switch, the footswitch area needs to be cut out a bit. Put the gearboxes and motors loosely in the location they belong. Secure the battery with a physical tie-down – you don’t want it to fall out and hit your kid in the head if he flips it over. You should also use an inline fuse holder directly after the + battery terminal with a 30A fuse. Electric fires can result if you don’t use a fuse. 

Step 4: Modify & Install Rear Axle To Convert 6V Power Wheels To 12V

There are two spacing tabs on the rear axle, which are not connected to a gearbox from the factory. Remove the outer notch by filing or grinding. After that, you will be able to slide your gearbox on far enough so that everything will fit back together. Put a little lithium grease where the axle contacts the body.

Step 5: Finish Assembly To Convert 6V Power Wheels To 12V

Then, you can finish assembling the car as usual. Just press on the wheels and trim pieces, and it will be ready to drive. It runs better on 12v than on 6v. The 12v wiring harness can even later be switched to 18v Lithium power to give it even more power and speed.

Battery Charge Time for Power Wheels 6V

Both 12v and 6v batteries charge at the same rate, so most of the recommendations for charging 12v power wheels batteries apply here, too.

• For new 6v power wheels batteries, you should charge them for at least 18 hours before use.
• You should charge the battery for at least 14 hours after each ride by your wannabe driver.
• Do not leave the vehicle charging for more than 30 hours.
• The battery should be recharged every month when the vehicle is not in heavy use or during the winter, and for 14 hours.

If we generally talk about the charging time for 6V, it is around 45 to 60 minutes when used on one go while if we compare it with the 12V batteries so it can easily hold to up to 2 to 4 hours that totally depends on the requirements of the power of the motor installed.

Battery Charge Time For Power Wheels 12V And Convert 6V Power Wheels To 12V

It is advisable to charge new 12v power wheel batteries for at least 18 hours before using them in the vehicle for the first time. If you charge your kid’s Jeep or any ride-on vehicle battery for more than 30 hours, the battery life drastically decreases.

Difference between A 6V Power Wheels To 12V

When the number of volts are much more, the car will be more powerful. So we can say that a 6V car of a kid is the lowest among all as compared to 12V or 24V higher.

Power Wheels Battery Charge Time After First Charge

The power wheels 12v battery must be charged for a minimum of 14 hours after the first charge. Also, ensure that the battery of your child’s power wheels is charged as soon as possible after each ride, regardless of how long it was.

One can also use a battery retainer that can be helpful in securing it in the right place, this can have a chance to fall out in the tip over of the vehicles, just make sure to properly charge it and on right time.

Conclusion

If you want to charge your power wheels battery correctly, you need to ensure that you charge it for the correct amount of time. The information in this guide will hopefully help you convert 6v power wheels to 12v and give you an idea of how long you should charge your power wheels battery to ensure the longest possible life. Thus, it is often not difficult to convert 6V battery to 12V battery.