lighting off of 16v

[dcannow]

Doesn't the alternator put out amps-not volts?? Just a thought

[jaytee50]

i hope solved my problem:

i will put 4 lights in series. and put it across all batteries. total 120w (@12v)

will i pull the same wattage @ 48v ?
i have 16ga wire, with 2 pieces that are 5ft long (110w headlights + 10w rear)

will my wire burn or will i be ok.

whats the math here?

[Stevegrmich]

Originally Posted by Backwoods Bogger

12 volt light are fine hooked to 16 volts, if you think about the charging system on a car, your alternator puts out between 14.5 and 15 volts and the 12 volt stuff seems to be fine, just my thought.

. . . however, the power is regulated to system to provide 12v and not the 14+ that the alternator feeds the battery . . .

[delagem]

This is actually a brilliant idea, Gaminde!

The only downside I see to putting the bulbs in series is, if one bulb blows, you don't get one headlight to drive home with, you get none!

The guys suggesting that cars charge at 15v are right, too; check the battery voltage on just about any motorcycle, 4 wheeler, jetski, etc. They charge at 14 to 15v, and that is what is supplied to the headlights, radio, etc.

[jaytee50]

Originally Posted by delagem

This is actually a brilliant idea, Gaminde!

The only downside I see to putting the bulbs in series is, if one bulb blows, you don't get one headlight to drive home with, you get none!

The guys suggesting that cars charge at 15v are right, too; check the battery voltage on just about any motorcycle, 4 wheeler, jetski, etc. They charge at 14 to 15v, and that is what is supplied to the headlights, radio, etc.

i forgot how 'strings of lights' all go out when 1 does.
1970's christmas anyone? memories of searching for burnt bulbs hah

"i'm no rocket scientist, but i did stay at a holiday inn last night"
-- i'm sure all systems receive filtered 12V voltage from the power regulator on a car. only the battery receives 13 or more volts from the charging circuit.

[delagem]

Well, I won't speak as to car design, but this is how it works on Ducati motorcycles, as well as most watercraft/4wheelers, etc:

diodes in the "rectifier" clip off both low sides of the sine curve that is the AC voltage, as generated by the alternator or generator. so instead of a sine curve of AC voltage, you get a somewhat straight line of DC voltage.

These vehicles definitely feed 14-15v to the battery, and anything connected to it. So your headlight, turn signals, bilge pump, whatever, run on 15v pretty much any time the vehicle's motor is above idle.... In fact, it's a quick test on the older Ducatis to point the headlight at a wall, and rev the motor. The headlight will brighten and dim as the voltage changes.

[gaminde]

Yep series has its downfalls, but there is an odd voltage combo so erring on safty side plus its just an example of how you can do things more than one way.

[sonicj]

your car's alternator should be putting out 14.4V.

what about the voltage drop of a diode? could that not be used to shave off a volt or two?
-sj

[gaminde]

About .6 volts per diode