16 volts instead of 12??

segibbs

One of the guys that owned my 48v CC conversion said he just used two 8 volt batteries instead of putting in a converter... I can't believe that's a recomended practice is it?

How many accessories can you run from a converter?

Just looking for a easy answer instead of digging around...

Thanks

phasetim

Lights are usually ok on 16v as long as its not a really long period of time. I don't reccommend radios, cell phones, or any other type of sensitive electronics on 16.

Different converters have different loads. When ordering one you need to ask whoever is selling it how much it can handle.

scottyb

If you don't use a converter you are drawing more from 2 than the rest. Potenially creating an imbalance, first weakening the two and later drawing down the whole pack.

segibbs

Thanks guys,

I didn't think it sounded like a good idea. He (one of the other owners) also grounded the frame and from all the posts I've read, that's pretty much of a no-no also! I'm just going to take out all the wiring and update the whole works along with 4 gage battery cables. It was previously updated to a 48 volt system with resistors and 7(!) solenoids... one for accessories, one for reverse and 5 for speed control with only three resistors (I'm not quite sure how that works!) I'm going to bring it down to 6 and leave one for accessories wired to the key as that sounds like a good idea. I've found all the wiring diagrams and understand them but here are a couple more questions...

what gage wire should I use to activate the solenoids? (he used phone line 18-22 gage?)

what gage wire from the accessory solenoid to the converter (48 v to converter)?

Thanks for the info!

shadowman

whatever you do don,t run a radio or CD off 16 volts.........lights you can get away with most of the time.......as for the reducers i suggest if you are going to put a radio in that you get the 48 volt to 12 volt 25 amp reducer the 48 volt reducer allows you to use the whole battery pack as opposed to just 2 batteries so your batteries will run down even........there is also a 48 volt 10 amp reducer and of course the 16 volt to 12 volt reducer which is what most people use for lights.......only drawback is your running those two batteries down further and faster than the other four so even that is suggested that you switch batteries every month or so...........................................