24v truck towing a 12v trailer

[twinotter600]

Don't let 24v intimidate you. I have several 24 volt vehicles and would not go back.

Trailer wise, I use the 12-24 volt LEDs but do not have a 12 volt trailer battery to charge. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/370786139334?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

You might look into a charge equaliser. This allows you to tap off the low side battery (12 volt) but you cannot leave the eqailer connected and the truck sit for days. This will drain both batteries as will leaving a 24-12 reducer on all the time. An ignition switched converter or relay to power the converter is required.

 

[cruisernewf]

This is what I have in my Bj74, http://www.eurogroup.gb.com/e805_trailer_voltage_converter.htm. I have it wired to a seven pin harness and it seems to work well although I've only towed small utility trailers.

 

[zara29]

There are likewise headed lights that endure 12 and 24v. I've got a few sets of the aforementioned in two of my utility trailers and they work incredible with either 12 or 24 volts tow vehicles.

 

[Malahki]

Replace the bulbs on the trailer for 24V ones or buy LED bulbs. LED bulbs work on any voltage between 12V and 24V.
If there is other stuff on the trailer that needs 12V use a 24V to 12V converter.

Not all LED's will work on any voltage. I found out the hard way after replacing all my 12V trailer lights with LED's. After a few hours at 24v the individual LED bulbs will start burning out until eventually the light is out completely.

I ended up making the trailer light converter / logic box that was linked above and it has worked flawlessly

5 wires in from the truck, 4 wires out to the trailer to accommodate North American style combined signal lights and brake lights. Then 1 single wire to 12v power source.

 

[on2it]

Hi team, I'm going the opposite way. Will I have a problem if I pickup a simple trailer with LEDs that up setup for 24v. My cruiser tow vehicle is a 12v and I'm getting no lights at all. With should I be converting or replacing? It was working perfectly for the PO so just wandering if it's because of the step down?