New headlight question

[DougieB]

Hi all,

I'm going to replace my headlights with led lights. Everything I have read says I have to reduce the 48 volts down to 12, which is logical. I cannot find anything on my 1998 DS that does that now for the lights that are on it. what am I missing? Appreciate any feedback or advice

[Winston Ellis]

Are you lights connected to one or 2 if your current batteries?


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[Fastest1]

It is common practice to get the 12v source from 2 adjacent batteries in the pack. It is not the best practice as it does put the pack at an imbalance. This might or might not be an issue in reality.
They do make dc to dc converters in many different amperage outputs. That would be the best route to go.


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[Mooncarter]

You probably have a factory 24-12 volt reducer, or if you have four 12volt batteries are maybe running off one.

What do you have 8 or 12 volts in it?

[EzgoTXT2002]

I took the incandescent bulbs out and soldered some LED 194
elements across the contacts of the bulb where the incandescent bulb was.
Wasn't the greatest lumen out put but sure was cheaper than
the $23 some are asking for LED bulbs.

What happens if DougieB is charging his batteries and accidently turns on
his LED headlights when using the one or two battery method instead of
a voltage reducer ?

Tried inserting the link to the pics in my album but I haven't
been able to make it work.

[DougieB]

Thanks for the info. I will have to check the batteries. I do believe 1 of them has positive and a negative wire with fuse hooked up. But I only think the wires are on 1battery

[Fastest1]

What is your battery arrangement? 4-12v?


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[Fairtax4me]

Originally Posted by EzgoTXT2002

What happens if DougieB is charging his batteries and accidently turns on
his LED headlights when using the one or two battery method instead of
a voltage reducer ?

He'll get 14-15V to the bulbs. Wont really hurt anything.
Halogen headlamp bulbs typically handle up to around 18V, at least for a short time.
Most LED bulbs will handle 30+V.

[DougieB]

Hi guys,

work got in the way. I have a 48 volt system, 6-8 volt batteries

[yawood]

If you have existing headlights they almost certainly operate off 12V. You can check easily by measuring the voltage across the wires that feed them.

To replace them with LEDs, all you need do is remove the headlights and attach the LED light bars (or whatever you are using) to the wires that went to the headlights. Don't forget that the LEDs have polarity so check that you have 12V at the wires then touch the wires to the LED terminals. If they don't work then reverse the wires.

If you are hoping to leave the headlights in position and simply convert them to LED you can get light bulbs that are actually LED bulbs in any auto store. Replace the headlight bulbs with those.