A 12V Power Wheels vehicle can travel at speeds of 4-5 MPH, which is significantly faster. In comparison to a 6V Power Wheel automobile, which can reach speeds of between 1 and 3 MPH, a 12V model will go faster and produce more power due to its higher voltage. A 12V Power Wheels car may not necessarily be superior to a 6V one, especially if the latter is powered by a lighter battery or is otherwise modified.
Owning a car is a huge delight for kids as young as two. However, it’s typical for parents to be confused about what Voltage is appropriate when buying electric vehicles for their children.
Electric cars for kids range from 6, 12, and 24 Voltage power. The 24V is the fastest and has more power.
Although it’s frequently utilized for rides inside, the 6v is slower than the 12v and 24v. To assist you distinguish between 6V and 12V rides, this article provides you with a thorough discussion.
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What is the Difference Between 6V and 12V Power Wheels?
The electric power is measured in Voltage per unit. A six-volt toy electric car is the lowest in power voltage.
That makes it slower than a twelve-volt but comfortable for the youngest drivers between 1-3 years old.
It is ideal for indoor rides and best for not damaging the furniture it hits once a collision happens. Meanwhile, a 12V toy car is superior in power, voltage, and speed.
It is favorable for either indoor or outdoor rides. It can cruise through rough and smooth flat surfaces with ease.
The weight of 12V is a little bit heavier and can be larger.
When choosing between 6V and 12V, you might end up considering the speed of each. However, there are speed-determinant factors in a toy car: weight, sitting capacity, and runway quality.
Any of the two cars will run slow on rough surfaces or lawns. In contrast with the flat smooth surface, the six-volt runs at a speed range of 1-3 miles/hour.
At the same time, a 12V electric-powered motor running speed ranges between 4-5 miles/ hour.
However, some parents will opt for power wheels paired with a parental locking system responsible for cutting speed in half. That ensures the safety of the kid and minimizes consistent collisions when the child is having fun.
For instance, when you lock a 6V power, its highest speed lowers to 1.5 miles per hour. But when the parental lock is off, the rate goes back to as high as three miles per hour.
Learn how to change the Power Wheels lock-out screw here.
Therefore, before purchasing an electric toy car for your kid, consider checking the specifications on the total driver’s weight and passenger’s weight where you have two seats.
The specifications are vital in giving information on the maximum speed for the driver’s weight. A factor most people don’t think of is the weight of the battery.
There are lithium-ion and lead-based batteries and either one can come with the ride-on cars. This information is not always presented and is very hard to find.
Most ride-on cars go with lead-based batteries simply because they are cheaper but this also makes them heavier. If you end up with a Power Wheels with a lead-based battery you can always do a simple drill battery conversion to lighten the weight and speed it up when it’s time.
How Fast can a 6V Power Wheels Go?
The average speed for a 6V electric-powered toy car is 1-3 miles/ hour. Its speed rate will highly depend on the surface it is riding on and the rider’s weight.
6Vs cannot run on rough or muddy areas and usually struggle to run on grass.
The battery can last for about 40-60 minutes when the car is running at full speed. Additionally, changing the 6V battery by replacing it with 12V or 24V in the vehicle won’t work unless you change out a lot of the other parts.
How fast can a 12V Power Wheels go?
12Vs have the capability of producing a maximum speed of 4-5 miles per hour. They can ride on either rough or smooth surfaces easily.
When running at a full-speed rate of 5 miles per hour, the kids can enjoy the ride for 1-2 hours before the battery runs out of charge.
Note: the battery life of electric toy cars does not depend on the total battery voltage. The amount of battery power is measured in AH and the larger this number is the longer the battery will run, but make sure it is the correct voltage for the vehicle.
How Can I Make 12V Power Wheels Faster?
Here are two options to make Power Wheels go faster. I recommend doing both of them and at the same time.
Option 1: Installing a Better Motor
Are you looking for a way to make the 12V faster and more enjoyable for your outgrown kid? One of the ways you can improve the car’s power is by installing a new motor.
Inverting the vehicle will allow you to remove the wheels and gain access to the hardware.
Remove the motor next by using a screwdriver. To be sure you have the right size, consider evaluating the old motor’s capabilities.
The old motor should now be removed from the vehicle by utilizing a solder-free connector and some force with the screwdriver.
The Power Wheel’s hardware should have a new motor installed, after which the screws should be reinserted. To correctly fit the motor in, perform some twisting and turning.
Attach the new motor to the gearbox and original cables once it has been properly installed. Incorporate the power wheels back in and check the speed.
We also recommend upgrading the gearbox at the same time so the gears can handle the new motor.
If it is not updated, the gears will grind down as they can’t handle the new motor speed. This typically happens in 1-3 months. You will hear a kind of clicking sound, and the car will go off right away. This is a sure problem sign of Power Wheels, and upgrading the gearbox should resolve it.
Option 2: Installing a Better Battery
You can also increase speed by installing an aftermarket battery. All you need to do is pull out the connector from the original battery and gently clip them with the positive and negative wires to the additional battery.
Remember, they need to be the same voltage and have room for it. You will also need an extra wire which you can also find from the link above.
Next, after crimping the wire connector, connect the fuse to a positive of the battery connector. Remember to use insulated wires for the remaining parts after connections are made.
Ensure that both batteries are fully functioning to get the desired results. Before doing any of this, ensure the battery has been fully charged as it takes much longer the first time you charge it.
Ensure you have the best location to position the second battery. The distance also counts, for you may need to use the universal connector mentioned above.
6V or 12V Power Wheel, Which One is Right for your Kid?
Investing in electric cars for your kid helps give them the excitement they need. A 6V is best for toddlers and indoor movements where you can monitor them.
But the market offers so many models that add more factors when selecting the best ride.
Whether you are to buy a 6V or 12V, you must consider the number of riders. Maybe you have other siblings to enjoy the ride or a couple of friends.
The 6V will always come with only the driver’s seat, while the 12V may have an additional passenger seat.
A 12V is more powerful and can easily accommodate a passenger, but carrying an overweight child who exceeds the maximum weight capacity may damage the car structure. If your child surpasses the standard weight limit of the car, consider finding a more significant size with higher weight limits and speed.
The charge limit is a consideration but mainly designated by the AH on the battery. Most come with around 3 AH. A 6V vehicle can only run for 40-60 minutes before the charge is fully drained.
Meanwhile, the 12V has up to 2 hours to drain the charge altogether. For your child to have more riding time, you should go for a 12V motor car.
Conclusion
It is essential to consider the child’s needs. Therefore, when choosing between a 6V and 12V power wheel, some key factors are kept in check, like the kid’s experience, age, and riding space.
When upgrading or purchasing a new car for an experienced rider, consider higher-capable electric cars.
The age of your kid should also determine the best ideal car to choose. It is risky for a 2 or 3-year-old to drive a car that gets to a maximum speed of 6 miles per hour, however; most of these 12V have the lock-out screw to cut the speed in half.
More Voltage will also reflect higher purchasing costs. So what’s next? Knowing the differences between 12V and 24V ride-on cars.
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