Vehicule Lectrickery

[Mohammed The Bear]

Now Then.

I being not of the very technicological persuasion have a quick question for any lectrik peoples out there.

I've got a Mitsubishi L200, recently its been fitted with a LED light bar, LED grill lights and side and rear scene lights (LED Spots). I also have a power convertor inside for running other bits and bobs. At a job a couple of nights ago I ended up with a flat battery and one of the other lads said I should pop a 24v battery in. Is it as simple as chucking the old 12v out and ramming a new 24v one in or does other jiggery pokery need to ensue?

Any advice would surely assist me in not frying the whirring bits under the bonnet.DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[jack brew]

I don't think you can do that, as you're doubling the voltage. Your starter motor for one thing is designed for twelve volts....

Unless you mean hook them up in parallel ?

Someone Who Knows will be along in a minute!

 

[Lamptramp]

If you wish to end the working life of the vehicle - go ahead.

The clue is in the question. 12 volts or 24 volts!

if you wop a 24 volt battery in it will not work and could do untold damage to your electrical system.

To change to 24 volts you will have to change everything, alternator, starter motor, wipers, light bulbs, radio/CD, coffee maker, fridge etc.

If you don't they will all fail.

PS could do a mod for you if required.

 

[Scaley brat]

My Pajero has 2 12v batteries (Japanese extreme cold weather mod.) You might be able to do that on an L200, but if you put a 24v battery your probably just going to get an expensive BBq.

What Lamptramp said ^^^ However you can fit two batteries in parallel. My last Pudge had 2 95 amp hour batteries and this one has two 80 amp hour. I doesn't matter how cold it gets, it will ALWAYS start ! DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[MingMong]

If you battery is going flat it would suggest that all your lights and gadgets are draining more power then your alternator can recharge. Maybe you can upgrade that, although it's not something i've ever looked into.

 

[Mohammed The Bear]

If you wish to end the working life of the vehicle - go ahead.

The clue is in the question. 12 volts or 24 volts!

if you wop a 24 volt battery in it will not work and could do untold damage to your electrical system.

To change to 24 volts you will have to change everything, alternator, starter motor, wipers, light bulbs, radio/CD, coffee maker, fridge etc.

If you don't they will all fail.

PS could do a mod for you if required.

In the words of a great man............DOH!!!

Sounds like a real ball ache to go through, not sure if the cost outweighs the benefit. With the engine left on everything is fine. I'm not averse to the effects of global warming as frying all the up and coming chav scum does have its benefits, so that may well be the route to go.

Cheers for the advice fellas

 

[Scaley brat]

If you battery is going flat it would suggest that all your lights and gadgets are draining more power then your alternator can recharge. Maybe you can upgrade that, although it's not something i've ever looked into.

Alternatively stop trying to draw attention to your pick up you bloody show off !! DT_Xtremez_31:


I think you'll find it's probably the power converter that will be sucking the life out of your batteries though.

 

[MingMong]

In the words of a great man............DOH!!!

Sounds like a real ball ache to go through, not sure if the cost outweighs the benefit. With the engine left on everything is fine. I'm not averse to the effects of global warming as frying all the up and coming chav scum does have its benefits, so that may well be the route to go.

Cheers for the advice fellas

The fact it is fine with the engine on rules out the alternator.

 

[Mohammed The Bear]

Alternatively stop trying to draw attention to your pick up you bloody show off !! DT_Xtremez_31:


I think you'll find it's probably the power converter that will be sucking the life out of your batteries though.

If only I were. Thery're nice to look at but things break pretty easily on it. I use it for SAR dog work and so far in the last 6 months its cost me a clutch, full exhaust and a radiator. My old defender was indestructable compared to this ....... but the L200's cup holders are much betterDT_Xtremez_43:

 

[monobrow]

Does the power converter come on with the ignition, or is it permanantly wired to the battery?

If it's the latter, then you could introduce a simple switch to the circuit (and even mount it in a spare slot on the dash sometimes) and it may cure your woes. Would cost you naff all to do.

 

[Mohammed The Bear]

Does the power converter come on with the ignition, or is it permanantly wired to the battery?

If it's the latter, then you could introduce a simple switch to the circuit (and even mount it in a spare slot on the dash sometimes) and it may cure your woes. Would cost you naff all to do.

Cheers Mono, that sounds like a plan DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

My Pajero <blah, blah>

I may have mentioned this before, but can't remember so I'll do it again.

Paja is Spanish for handjob, Pajero is one who gives handjobs. You drive a Mitsubishi ******.

 

[Scaley brat]

I may have mentioned this before, but can't remember so I'll do it again.

Paja is Spanish for handjob, Pajero is one who gives handjobs. You drive a Mitsubishi ******.

You did and I don't care ::
I love my Pudge ! DT_Xtremez_30:

Seeing as how all men are either ****** 's or liars, at least I'm honest ! DT_Xtremez_14:

Your just jealous cos your a panda driving navy barrel boy and your bum is probably bleeding !! DT_Xtremez_31:

Get on COD 4 you poof !! DT_Xtremez_05:

Oh yes, two batteries is great for running extra ancillaries ! DT_Xtremez_30:

 

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

You did and I don't care ::
I love my Pudge ! DT_Xtremez_30:

Seeing as how all men are either ****** 's or liars, at least I'm honest ! DT_Xtremez_14:

Your just jealous cos your a panda driving navy barrel boy and your bum is probably bleeding !! DT_Xtremez_31:

Get on COD 4 you poof !! DT_Xtremez_05:

Oh yes, two batteries is great for running extra ancillaries ! DT_Xtremez_30:

Not a Panda, a Cinquecento. The sort of car driven by MEN who don't need to compensate!

And I don't drive it anymore 'cos some fecktard wrote it off in June:S

COD 4; tempting but so many games, so little time (and so little cash for an upgrade). It would be cheaper to drive over to Odiham and simply give you a good kicking!

On topic (but a bit late). 24v doesn't play nice with 12v. I witnessed someone trying to jump start a 12v Landy from a 24v: the little covers for the electrolyte flew about six feet straight up in the air accompanied by small flames. Not a good idea.DT_Xtremez_15:

 

[Ex-Bay]

Now Then.

I being not of the very technicological persuasion have a quick question for any lectrik peoples out there.

I've got a Mitsubishi L200, recently its been fitted with a LED light bar, LED grill lights and side and rear scene lights (LED Spots). I also have a power convertor inside for running other bits and bobs. At a job a couple of nights ago I ended up with a flat battery and one of the other lads said I should pop a 24v battery in. Is it as simple as chucking the old 12v out and ramming a new 24v one in or does other jiggery pokery need to ensue?

Any advice would surely assist me in not frying the whirring bits under the bonnet.

A few questions:

1 is this vehicle fitted with 12v headlamps, etc?

If so, don't bother with 24v, you'll crisp something; big time. Unless, of course, you can have (an optional) 24v system installed (much financial wailing and gnashing of teeth).

2 Is the convertor used to drive things that normally run on 240v ac mains ?
If so, do you need it all the time ?. Fit a switch (they are very inefficient): And then only run it when the engine is running, if poss.
Does any of this equipment step things down t o 12 or even 5v in order to run (such as a Laptop computer or a radio)? Consider having it modified to use 12v dc (no point in wasting energy goning from 12 to 240 and back, is there?)

3 Is the battery tray/bay only half full with the fitted battery ?

If so, consider fitting a MUCH bigger battery. Consult your dealer (ha ha) to see if it is possible to fit an uprated alternator.
Is there space for a second 12v battery? Some vehicle have a second tray somewhere (usually for stuff being towed), but don't forget to use really thick wire (10mm +) to connect the two batteries in parallell (pos -pos, neg -neg) unless the wires are already fitted.

.

 

[Mohammed The Bear]

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

I'm glad I didnt listen to the tw@ who said shove a 24v battery in!!! Sorry did I say tw@ I meant well intended friend::

I've opted for putting another battery in parallel and fitting a switch to the power convertor. After reading some of the options you all gave I whizzed off and got a quote for converting to 24v and the shock of it prolapsed my rectumDT_Xtremez_42:

Now that my innards are no longer outards I'll crack on and get the job done.

Thanks again for all the advice and proof once again if ever it where needed that you goaters are the dogs pods
CHEERS FELLAS DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[Hoof_Hearted]

What stuff are you running off the inverter???

How long do you leave it standing (with the donkey turned off)???

It may be worth getting a specific "caravan" type of battery for your second one - these have a much greater tollerance for long periods of use without any charging from the alternator. Any decent auto-electrical motor factor will know exactly what type you need.

When you get your spark to wire it all up, make sure that the primary battery (the one that starts the engine) is protected with an appropriate diode pack. When the engine is running, you want the alternator to charge both batteries, but when the engine is off, you only want the secondary battery to provide power to the inverter. Again, this is quite a common way of doing stuff like this, so if your spark doesnt understand, find another one.

HTH

 

[sparks will fly]

DT_Xtremez_28: Firstly I would get the battery tested what we call load tested. go to my fellow gef lecky's in the battery bay to do this for you they can do this in situ in the car. Secondly if all ok I would recommend fitting a larger out put alternator as your power demands on the vehicles electrics have been increased significantly. since you have ainverter fitted was an amplyfier fitted or not and if yes get a GEF Lecky to check this out or you do not do it yourself as I know one guy who thought he knew about amps and ended up in A&E.

 

[Hoof_Hearted]

DT_Xtremez_28: Firstly I would get the battery tested what we call load tested. go to my fellow gef lecky's in the battery bay to do this for you they can do this in situ in the car.

Yup, good call.

Incidentally, MTB might also like to tell us how old is existing battery is, a they don't last forever. DT_Xtremez_15:

Secondly if all ok I would recommend fitting a larger out put alternator as your power demands on the vehicles electrics have been increased significantly.

Hmmm . . . whilst this might be a good idea (due to the increased electrical loads), I personally don't think this is the immediate cause of the problem. From what I understand, the OP is merely getting a flat battery after a couple of days of non-running. He made no comment about squealing fanny belts, lights dimming, sluggish idle - whilst the engine is running and the leckky loads are running - which would indicate that the alternator is still up to the job. DT_Xtremez_15:

As Ex-Bay pointed out, fitting a larger capacity primary battery is a very valid option, and would be the most sensible, cheapest and easiest option to start with. DT_Xtremez_07:

 

[sparks will fly]

If he is getting a flat batt after a few days of non running then he has a power drain on the vehicle and the easiest way to find it would be to put an ammeter on the battery (which must be connected in series)look at the curent reading which should be zero and if not start removing one fuse at a time to find what circuit or component is causing the drainDT_Xtremez_28: