LED Light Kit with 4 x 12v batteries: Need a voltage reducer?

[TR6]

Hi. A quick search turned up mixed results on this question. I have a 2015 EZGO RXV with four 12 volt batteries. The cart did not come with a light kit and I'd like to install an LED kit (front and rear). I know that if I had 6 or 8 volt batteries, I would need a voltage reducer but since I have 12 volt batteries, do I need to install a voltage reducer to run the lights and any other low amp draw accessories such as a phone charger? Any issues if I wire the kit to one of the four batteries? I'm not trying to cheap out and I want to do it right, but I also don't want to spend money needlessly. Thanks in advance.

[mfinnegan]

Originally Posted by TR6

Hi. A quick search turned up mixed results on this question. I have a 2015 EZGO RXV with four 12 volt batteries. The cart did not come with a light kit and I'd like to install an LED kit (front and rear). I know that if I had 6 or 8 volt batteries, I would need a voltage reducer but since I have 12 volt batteries, do I need to install a voltage reducer to run the lights and any other low amp draw accessories such as a phone charger? Any issues if I wire the kit to one of the four batteries? I'm not trying to cheap out and I want to do it right, but I also don't want to spend money needlessly. Thanks in advance.

Well, Technically in any of those 3 situations you don't "need" a voltage reducer. Hookng up to two 6 or 8 volt batteries (I've done 16v on 12v leds. Super bright and I'm sure it cut the life down)is the same as one 12v. Uneven draw on individual batteries VS drawing from the pack as a whole. Not a massive deal especially with LEDs but over years and cycles, it will have negative impact, even if its minimal.