24Volt Car Audio

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

C

canadianmedic2

Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Threads
25
Messages
94
Location
Coquitlam, BC
I have a question and I was wondering if you guys could help.

How are you guys installing your after market car audio decks with out having an uneven draw on the 24 volt system. I disconnected the stereo which the previous owner had by passed the 24volt system by just connecting to the low side battery, hence the uneven draw. I have my stereo going to the power converter that is wired to the ignition, but it's a pain in the ass because every time I turn the truck over it goes to the initial start up screen on the stereo...long process to listen to music. I'm worried that if i have the converter wired directly to the battery then it'll cause a constent draw and again hurt the battery.

Suggestions?
Canadianmedic2
 
12V stereo in a 24V

Obviously its not good but whats going to happen if I put a 12V stereo in the HJ-60? Its a cheap old CD player that as far as I'm converned is almost worthless. Will it play for a couple days? All I'm concerned is that is doesn't catch on fire.....and plays for a day or more.
 
24 to 12 converter. google g&s cruisers, they sell the solar brand. From the the converter i ran a main power cable into my cab and set up a 12v fuse box. That feeds my stereo, and I changed my cig. lighter to 12v so i can actually use it for stuff.
 
I know I need a converter, but after the engine rebuild I don't have any money, not enough for a silver star to post pictures, not enough for a converter. But I do have enough money to put in an old CD player assuming that it will play temporarily and not catch itself on fire.
 
The HJ60s did have a small invererter in them. Get out the volt meter and check the wiring harness. I can't tell you where the inverter is, but it's there. And they are prone to fail.

CAT also makes a 24V am/fm radio and I have heard rumors of 24V cd players.

Easiest solution, but an inverter.
 
Goto Radio shack or a electronics store, you can sometimes find cheap ($20) DC to DC converters hiding, just make sure you bring a voltmeter along to test outputs. The easiest is to find someone who sells IDEC power supplies... a good one should run about $120, or you can build your own out of salvaged materials and a library card.

I suggest putting a fused switch prior to a lower end converter setup as you may get a continual power draw that will kill your batteries if your crusier sits for any length of time.
 
canadianmedic2 said:
I have a question and I was wondering if you guys could help.

How are you guys installing your after market car audio decks with out having an uneven draw on the 24 volt system. I disconnected the stereo which the previous owner had by passed the 24volt system by just connecting to the low side battery, hence the uneven draw. I have my stereo going to the power converter that is wired to the ignition, but it's a pain in the ass because every time I turn the truck over it goes to the initial start up screen on the stereo...long process to listen to music. I'm worried that if i have the converter wired directly to the battery then it'll cause a constent draw and again hurt the battery.

Suggestions?
Canadianmedic2
Click to expand...

One of a number of solutions: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=33070

As mentioned, and uneven draw will cause the batteries to charge unevenly...eventually sulphating one battery and cooking the other. Use 24V appliances, or get a converter.

hth's

gb
 
Yep - one of the BIG pains of 24V systems is uneven draw with 12V loads if not via a converter. Wiith a converter you have the losses in it. I just spent 10 days replacing all the 24V electrics (ALL OF THEM) in my old patrol diesel. Transplanted from a later 12V model when nissan woke up to the insanity of 24V. I even replaced the winch motor in my 8274 with a 12V motor. That's probably the ONLY thing I'll miss with going to 12V is the 24V winch - but everything else is WIN WIN WIN. Now I have a main & an auxiliary 12V. I lived with the 24V electrics in the patrol for coming on 26 years and it's finally gone - yay!

cheers,
george.
 
The Dude said:
The HJ60s did have a small invererter in them. Get out the volt meter and check the wiring harness. I can't tell you where the inverter is, but it's there. QUOTE]

The OEM inverter is in a front fenderwell hole on the LT (drivers) side, nearest the firewall..if its still there
Click to expand...
 
I'm not talking about hooking the stereo up to the battery to attempt to make a 12V connection, I know about un-even draw. I was just wondering about hooking it to the factory stereo wires, which is probably a 24V supply (as my heater fan and everything else is). I don't care if the deck lasts that long. I've heard of 12V stereos being able to last a little while with 24V, I just wanted to make sure a cheap one has no chance of catching itself on fire becauses it would be running 24V?!?!?!
 
I have a 24-12 V DC converter installed in my car, which draws current directly from the batteries (of course with a fuse in between). So far, I had no problems with it, and my batteries seem to hold quite well (on the other hand, my HJ60 is a daily driver). On the converter, I have a CD player, a Terratrip 303 tripmaster, a Garmin GPS and an additional reading lamp. All of these have their own on/off switches, and I do not believe that you will draw off a lot of current when the devices are not operated. However, I have increased my idle speed somewhat, so my batteries do not run low when the engine is stationary for quite a while, and all appliances (and lights etc.) are in operation.

Anyway, I would not recommend running 24V in any 12V appliance. If you are really in need of some music, why don't you put temporary a cheap, battery-operated 'made-in-China' portable noise maker in your car?

Cheers!

Dieter
'86 HJ60 diesel
 
canadianmedic2 said:
I have a question and I was wondering if you guys could help.

How are you guys installing your after market car audio decks with out having an uneven draw on the 24 volt system. I disconnected the stereo which the previous owner had by passed the 24volt system by just connecting to the low side battery, hence the uneven draw. I have my stereo going to the power converter that is wired to the ignition, but it's a pain in the ass because every time I turn the truck over it goes to the initial start up screen on the stereo...long process to listen to music. I'm worried that if i have the converter wired directly to the battery then it'll cause a constent draw and again hurt the battery.

Suggestions?
Canadianmedic2
Click to expand...

I've started with a cheap 15 amp. But i still had that issue where i could not give 12V to the radio full time so it keep its memory. I thought of hooking the converter with full time current but i, too many times, forget something and drained the batteries.

I bought 2 Bosch relay. And since i have a 12V compressor i've upgraded my converter to a 40 amp. Some time this winter i will hook the converter to full time current and use the 2 relay to control current with the ignition to appliances that needs current when the ignition is on accessories and ON.

Radio has two wires, one will be full time 12V, the other accessories through the first relay; my lockers solenoid, 12V cig plug will also be on accessories. then lockers, air tank gauge light, compressor pressure switch, added lights and fogs will be on the second "ON" relay.
 
24vdc to 12vdc converter / Powerstream

Good Day.
I found a great source for a less expensive dc to dc converter for 12 stereos in a 24v system.
They are made by PowerStream in Orem, Utah and have several sizes (ampacity) available.
5 amp continuous = US$33.15
10 amp = US$56.00
15 amp = US$106.00

Check them out at www.powerstream.com

There is a wire to draw 12 vdc off of it safely for stereo memory. That's what they're designed for.
Hope this helps,
Roman
 
hey fellow canuck i have an after market electronic device that was installed and basically it was hooked to one battery and given a 30 amp fuse(which has neverblown) and occasionally with colder temps -20 c and below screws up slightly.
 
24v stereo wiring?

Saw a couple days ago a posting (with diagrams) of a set-up using a hella 24v relay for the switchable power source..........thought I saved it....but cant find....anyone see it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom