48 volt conversion with stock lights

[sleepyluke]

I just had a brain fart, and realized that I have the factory lightbar. Am i going to blow the lights when hooking up to the 8 volt batteries? I don't have a huge problem going to a new light, but jsut wanted to know if I am going to create a big spark when i hook everything back up.

[JohnnieB]

Factory lights typically operate at 12V, which is something you can't get with 8V batteries, so you have to run a 48V to 12V voltage reducer or a separate 12V battery for the accessories.

At 8V, the 12V lightbar probably won't be visible and at 16 volt the bulbs will probably burn out.

[B.Roussel]

Well said JohnnieB. I bought a 48v-12v reducer for my headlights. Works good. The only accessory I have wired to it is my headlights. I wouldn't wire too many accessories up to it. If you have a lot of accessories then you will need to go with the extra 12v deep cycle battery.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by B.Roussel

Well said JohnnieB. I bought a 48v-12v reducer for my headlights. Works good. The only accessory I have wired to it is my headlights. I wouldn't wire too many accessories up to it. If you have a lot of accessories then you will need to go with the extra 12v deep cycle battery.

It depends on the amps the accessories use and the amp rating of the voltage reducer.

The one I use takes anything from 26V to 60V at the input and delivers up to 30A of 12V power at the output.
That will take care of most 12V accessories, except for some of the higher power audio amps.

Also, the LED lighting that is showing up on the market these days, don't take nearly as many amps as incandescent bulbs.

Of course, a separate 12V battery for accessories doesn't take any power from the main battery pack, so it is the better choice for some applications.

Like everything else about carts, you have choices to make, so plan ahead and consider all the options available.

[sleepyluke]

Well I do have a 12V deep cycle for all of the other goodies on the cart, but the factory lights are wired into the switch and through the battery pack. I guess I am going to have to track down those 2 wires and run to my 12 volt and run a new switch.

Crap, got a 6 panel fuse block installed a few weeks ago with plans for all 6 fuses, and this was not one of them....