24v reverse lights

[GOT MUD]

okay i found this link in regards to wiring reverse lights up to turn on say as work lights http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... rse+lights but is there anything differant to do in relation to a 24v system i already have two 100 watts work lights wired to reverse but only come on while in reverse i wont to set it up as the link has it but 24v style cheers

[Tas_Dean]

You can do it two ways... use 24v globes and a 24v relay (if using a relay)
OR wire two 12v globes in series (i wouldn't recommend this as if 1 globe fails they both go out), you still need a 24v relay if you are utilising a relay!
Wiring two globes in series goes like this positive to one globe, negative of globe to the positive of the other globe (do not connect the negative to ground), and the negative of the last globe to ground.
something like this:


Positive-------O--------O--------negative (or ground) where the O is the globe and the ---- is the wire!

Clear as mud?? Just use 24v globes!

Cheers, Dean

[GOT MUD]

thanks dean i cant believe i was trying to complicate it thats what i did with front spotties just change bulbs der

[Tas_Dean]

I can understand why you were confused, as you don't see 24v globes in the automotive "toy" shops eg autobarn, supercheap etc, but repco, burson etc will have them as almost all trucks run 24v!

We used a lot of series wiring in industrial electrics, but mostly on switching. Occasionally we had to series globes for a particular reason (eg a machine on 36v and we only had 24 or 12v globes handy, use three 12's )

Series wiring 12v globes would work perfectly well, but there is no "redundancy" (if one blows they both stop)

Cheers, Dean

[GOT MUD]

yeah thats cool i get all my auto elec and truck stuff from Qld Diesel Spares they are allways very helpful and heaps of goodies

[Scrapper]

[quote="Tas_Dean"]You can do it two ways... use 24v globes and a 24v relay (if using a relay)
OR wire two 12v globes in series (i wouldn't recommend this as if 1 globe fails they both go out), you still need a 24v relay if you are utilising a relay!

I am wondering if I should convert my MQ LWB to 12V due to similar hassles. If you are electrically inclined, like myself, then putting dropping resistors in line with 12V relays is do-able, but you are generally better just buying 24V relays and 24V bulbs.

In regard to 12V bulbs in series, you would need to somehow isolate the light body from the car body if they are metal shell lights, since many lights earth via their mount. I think I may have just answered my own question in regard to hassle and reliablilty in regard to series-ing to 12V metal shelled driving lights and should just fork out for 24V bulbs....