Adding electronics on a electric cart

[cronek28]

I have a quick question. This is probably a simple question and most of you can laugh at me now because wiring and electronics makes me dizzy. I have a 36V older electric cart if I put a radio in it do I have to put a voltage reducer to bring it down to 12V? Thanks in advance for any help. If this is what I have to do any advise on the cheapest way to do this?

[cronek28]

any ideas guys? maybe not a radio just an amp with speakers and input for an mp3 player? Can any body help with how to wire something like that?

[Dave in VA]

If you have 6 volt batteries, I think you can hook up the radio to 2 of them wired in parallel. One of the sparkie guys can tell you for sure.

[cronek28]

Originally Posted by Dave in VA

If you have 6 volt batteries, I think you can hook up the radio to 2 of them wired in parallel. One of the sparkie guys can tell you for sure.

Thanks for starting to get my ball rolling I appreciate it

[rocknrone]

I believe Dave meant that you could just hook up to 2 of your 6 volt batteries wired in series, not parallel. That is the cheapest way to do it, but you will put a strain on those 2 batteries, and eventually, could cause an imbalance in the pack depending upon your usage of the accessories. Hope this helps. The alternatives are a voltage reducer which I use, or you could get an extra 12v deep cycle battery to run the accessories off of.

[Dave in VA]

Originally Posted by rocknrone

I believe Dave meant that you could just hook up to 2 of your 6 volt batteries wired in series, not parallel. That is the cheapest way to do it, but you will put a strain on those 2 batteries, and eventually, could cause an imbalance in the pack depending upon your usage of the accessories. Hope this helps. The alternatives are a voltage reducer which I use, or you could get an extra 12v deep cycle battery to run the accessories off of.

Yep, that's what I meant.

[cronek28]

Originally Posted by rocknrone

I believe Dave meant that you could just hook up to 2 of your 6 volt batteries wired in series, not parallel. That is the cheapest way to do it, but you will put a strain on those 2 batteries, and eventually, could cause an imbalance in the pack depending upon your usage of the accessories. Hope this helps. The alternatives are a voltage reducer which I use, or you could get an extra 12v deep cycle battery to run the accessories off of.

Thanks........ Im guessing voltage reducer is the way to go. I was kind of hoping I would get recommendations of going the in series way just because I don't want to spent another 150 on a reducer on top for the deck amp and speakers...... maybe I should just pick up a dewalt workplace radio :) thank you guys for helping me