24 volt led lights on a 12 volt truck

damaged110

Observer
i just got these led offroad lights in. but they are 24 volts... question? i have duel batts in the cruiser so there is the possibility for 24 volts. i have been drawing out diagrams all day in my head trying to figure this out but i dont think it will work. so i need ideas on how i can do it and if it can be done. i know there are converters out there but the are not cheap and i am broke so the cheaper the better.
http://www.levineautoparts.com/ledheadlight1.html
07370-lr.jpg
 

teotwaki

Excelsior!
i just got these led offroad lights in. but they are 24 volts... question? i have duel batts in the cruiser so there is the possibility for 24 volts. i have been drawing out diagrams all day in my head trying to figure this out but i dont think it will work. so i need ideas on how i can do it and if it can be done. i know there are converters out there but the are not cheap and i am broke so the cheaper the better.
http://www.levineautoparts.com/ledheadlight1.html
07370-lr.jpg

Dang, nice Army Fairy that ya' know! Let me give some more constructive and practical feedback than you've been offered so far :ylsmoke:

I don't know how low your budget caps out at but here is one suggestion.

Get or make a 12-to-24 volt DC-To-DC converter. The taillights won't need much current. Here is a homebuilt example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXulSFItvk0
With this source of 24 volts you can use a relay to interface to your 12 volt truck system. I might have a small converter that was meant for an old laptop computer. If I can find it you can have it. I think that the output is unregulated but that would not matter for the LEDs. I'll be gone over the weekend to hike Paria Canyon in Arizona so it might be a few days if I can't find it right away.

If your dual batteries in the cruiser both have their grounds on the chassis then there is no easy way to series them for 24. You'd need to modify things which wouldn't be worth it just for this. Some folks have added disconnects to one battery so that they can series the two batteries for welding with a 24 volt source.

Did you try plugging in the new tailights with just 12 volts? If they have a simple series ballast resistor they will just be dimmer than their rated output but may still be usable. If they have a constant current regulator they may not light up at all depending on the circuit design.
 

damaged110

Observer
i tried just 12volts. you could not tell that they were on. i grabbed two batteries from the part dept and mad a 24 volt system and hooked them up.. these are some nice lights. i found a dc/dc converter online for about 30 dollars i am going to order one on tuesday and see how that works. thanks for the offer and have a good trip. i have six of these lights with universal mounts. i was hoping to get these to work so i could share the other sets
 

teotwaki

Excelsior!
i tried just 12volts. you could not tell that they were on. i grabbed two batteries from the part dept and mad a 24 volt system and hooked them up.. these are some nice lights. i found a dc/dc converter online for about 30 dollars i am going to order one on tuesday and see how that works. thanks for the offer and have a good trip. i have six of these lights with universal mounts. i was hoping to get these to work so i could share the other sets

Wonderful! If the new converter has a fast initial startup and no inrush current spike you might be able to just power it off of the 12 volt lines for the brakes. Otherwise you could have it power up via a relay contact triggered by the 12 volts for the brakes. Keep us posted!
 

damaged110

Observer
SAM_1608.JPG


well thanks to currentlogic.com i got my lights up and running tonight..
these things are bright you can read a book on the next block... i am happy.
 

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