mmaattppo,
I'd love to see more details on how you did the 12 to 6 conversion install.
Fortunately it's relatively straight forward but there are a lot of steps. Here's a brief rundown of the main steps and materials you will need:
The main component that makes this work is a 12V DC to 6V DC stepdown transformer (see image below). These are readily available on eBay and Aliexpress for $10 or less plus shipping.
The transformer has a labelled +/- 12V input (from your vehicle's electrical system / aux battery) and +/- 6V output.
You need two conductor insulated wire (SOOW cable is what I used; see image below) to run 12V power to the transformer input. This type of cable is readily available at Home Depot and Lowe's and is sold by the foot. This cable has four main benefits:
1) the wire it contains it's stranded and is available at a sufficient gauge to easily handle the low amperage 12V input for the transformer.
2) the cable is quite flexible and easy to cut, strip the insulation, and is tough as nails.
3) the diameter of the cable is perfect for threading through a nylon strain relief gland so you don't accidentally yank the wire out when you flail about in your tent while dreaming of your next project (see image below for strain relief gland)
4) it's not overly expensive...always a good thing.
I soldered a 12V cigarette lighter style plug to the supply side of the 12V power cord and use a corresponding flush mount socket (wired to my aux battery) as the power source.
The 6V output side of the transformer solders to the +/- tabs inside the body of the fan effectively replacing the four 1.5V D-cell batteries that would normally be wired in series to produce 6V.
If you're wondering about fusing for this setup, there is a 5 amp fuse in the cigarette plug (just less that the 6 amp limit of the transformer an comfortably less than the max amperage the fan/LED will ever pull...even when operated simultaneously. Additionally, I run power to my tent through a 12V breaker panel and weather proof Amphenol military circular style connector.
To mount the fans I used the following Ram Mounts parts:
1) Base Plate with round base.
2) a 2" plastic extension arm.
3) a mounting clamp that fits the 7/8" (?) diameter tubing of the tent roof support hoops.
The base plate attaches to the fan with self tapping screws, or small wood screws.
I think that about covers it. Let me know if you need more details.
Enjoy!
