Decision between reducer or 12v battery

brian2626

Hey guys, new to the site and I have search/read through several topics on similar things here. My questions is with the the pros/cons on each what would you go with; a voltage reducer or a deep cycle 12v battery for all your 12v systems? tks

BGW

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Olman

I have had both. I like the reducer better. Less weight, do not have to charge a separate battery, if you get a quality reducer then less cost in the long run.

scooterman

Kinda have to agree, besides the price of a battery and having to keep it charged is a no brainer to get the reducer lol, who wants the extra hassle.

XxDoubledxx

What reducer do you guys recommend? Lets say horn,headlights(HID maybe), radio,etc..

Swan

I run a 12 volt battery , if I got the radio going and the battery runs low I know I can still get home and not pushing it . less draw on the pack and more run time with lights , radio and so on .

cjderoche

I have a light kit, including LED underbody lights, and a radio and operate all three at night most times I barely notice a difference in run time, I have a 20A reducer. I know someone that does the separate 12v battery for his and it sounds like a pain in the rear to have to charge the separate battery from his point of view, he says his wont run the radio and lights for very long. Swan is correct also, at least when his 12v battery dies from the radio he knows he can get home. Which is why it's also a good idea to have a battery charge status indicator of some type. I can run a radio all day long on 6 8v deep cycle batteries. After buying a few 12v batteries the reducer would seem to make the most sense to me. Less weight like Olman said. If you get a reducer buy a good one you won't be disappointed.

Olman

http://www.cartsunlimited.net/DC_Reducer.html

This one is expensive but I have good reports on it and ScottyB is known for his customer service.

XxDoubledxx

Just ordered! Thanks

teecro

Depends on what your needs are?

Do you plan on parking your cart and blasting loud obnoxious music while your drinking beer and golfing? Get a separate deep cycle. Want to listen to some tunes while you zip around the hood? Get a reducer...

Another thought is do you really use your cart for extended periods of time at night? If so get some new LED lights as they use a lot less energy than run of the mill halogen lights do. Your also not driving a cart at 55 mph so you really don't need to see near as far with a cart as your do with a car; right?

With the hassle of maintaining another battery with it's own charger I just don't see the need for as I've got no music in my cart; I bought it because I wanted simple and QUITE operation. I don't drive the cart much at all after dark except for coming back from clubhouse parities so standard fare lights are all I need and a 20 amp reducer is barely taxed powering up my GPS and charging our phones....