12 v 24 v ?

[VladTepes]

I have some 24 V lights (should be low current draw as they are only x-mas type lights) that I want to run from a 12v car circuit.

1. Why the hell don;t they use 12v liek everyone else (probably a rhetiorical Q that one).

2) It seems stupid running an inverter to turn 12 v DC to 240 AC and then using the provided transformer to change back to 24V DC. Is there an easier way to convert 12V DC to 24V Dc ?

Alternatively, anyone know where I can get 12 v xmas type lights taht could be run from a vehicle?

Thanks

P.S. It's a plan to keep Mrs Vlad happy... 'nuff said/

[Xtreme]

You got dual batteries?
12 + 12 = 24 :wasntme:

[FFR]

Hi,

If current consumption is low, you can use a DC-DC converter like this one:

DealExtreme: $11.81 Universal Car Adapter for Laptops (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5530)

I use it in a regular basis to power my laptop (19V) from the car battery.

Beware:
- it can get really hot if left covered
- it produces lots of RFI interference, so if you have an HF radio onboard, you will notice a great increase in background noise level when plugging this device.

[VladTepes]

You got dual batteries?
12 + 12 = 24 :wasntme:

Disconnect my car batteries and wire them in series ? No thanks.

[VladTepes]

anyone else ?

[maca]

For a temporary solution:

Get two small 12v SLA batteries from Jaycar and wire them in series to get 24v, then charge them during the day/night depending on when you want the Christmas lights to be on.

Or for a more permanent solution Jaycar also supply dodgy little DC-DC converters that should do the trick, one example is AA-0264 ($28 wholesale).

Please note, I am in no way associated with Jaycar, I just happened to have the Electus cattledog in front of me, that and the fact that RS/Farnell would be far more expensive.

[101RRS]

Here are some on ebay

DC 12V to 24V 10A 240W Step-Up Power DC-DC Converter (eBay item 200557065610 end time 20-Jan-11 22:24:46 AEDST) : Industrial (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DC-12V-24V-10A-240W-Step-Up-Power-DC-DC-Converter-/200557065610?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item2eb221f58a)

12V to 24V 3A DC-DC Power Converter Module (eBay item 190481362915 end time 17-Jan-11 15:30:47 AEDST) : Industrial (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12V-24V-3A-DC-DC-Power-Converter-Module-/190481362915?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item2c5992efe3)

DC 12V to 24V 5A 120W Step-Up Power DC-DC Converter (eBay item 400183740549 end time 26-Jan-11 17:54:40 AEDST) : Industrial (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DC-12V-24V-5A-120W-Step-Up-Power-DC-DC-Converter-/400183740549?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5d2ccf4885)

DC to DC Converter 24V to 12V - ABR Sidewinder units (eBay item 390276686035 end time 11-Jan-11 22:27:38 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DC-DC-Converter-24V-12V-ABR-Sidewinder-units-/390276686035?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ade4da0d3)

[lewy]

get some solar powered lights if you want them for a campsite.