System into a 24 volt vehicle??

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mr tibbs
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System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by mr tibbs »

Has anyone put a system into a vehicle that uses a 24 volt system as opposed to a 12 volt system? I will be buying an import Toyota 60's series Landcruiser that uses 24 volts and would like to put a system into it. Nothing too over the top, but something like a HU, front stage with one amp and a sub in the back with an amp. Ideas or places to start researching would be appreciated!
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by Drock »

I think you'll be asking for all kinds of problems.
IMO anyway. I've never seen a 24v car though, but unless it's regulated I'm sure you know already most gear won't be able to handle 24v.


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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by ttocs »

pretty sure you could use a step-down transformer for the 12 volt accesories. a quick search for 24v to 12v step down transformer showed this.

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PSWNV720-Pow ... +step+down
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by gfunk_nz »

I've done a couple, the step downs are easy enough for the headunit, however for an amp to do it properly is a touch more work. My first one which was 18 years ago I just ran off one of the batteries, however the unequal load seemed to kill batteries rather quickly, the better option and a friend did this in his 80's land cruiser was to run a separate alternator and battery purely for the stereo. It worked very well and with the room in the engine bay made it simple.
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by Drock »

^^^^thats a great idea.
I've been thinking of doing that same idea for a 16v setup.


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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by kg1961 »

I have never done this but would it not be as simple to
off the alt. split the charge to the normal car 24v and than change it or use a convertor use a second battery 12volt to run the audio ?
we had to do this 100% the other way in old vw that ran 6volt
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by HoseHead »

Do it right using the following or similiar quality DC-DC converter....

http://www.powerstream.com/dc1.htm

These also isolate (protect) your audio from the 24V vehicle electrical system.
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by ttocs »

yes you can't have batteries of different voltages connected or they will cause problems. Even a difference of a couple of volts can cause them to drain each other but 12v would be a big difference.

Try finding a DD5 or DD10 and it will make it easy to wire up and fuse all the 12v accessories you would need.
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by wooferdog »

if the vehicle has 2 12 volt batteries and it is a negative ground all you have to do is connect the stereo system to 1 of the batteries like on a semi.take the volt meter and confirm the 12 volts where the batteries are connected in series and your good to go,but this is only if you have 2 batteries and not 1 big 24 volt.they do this a lot with golf cart systems also.you could always put 2 12 volt's in if you have the space and it would work also.
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by mr tibbs »

I guess I need to decide what amps I want to use and see what the required amps would be. That way I can see if a converter would work or if I need to try and fit a second alt and a third battery under the hood. Or just completely forget the idea of a system if everything gets too expensive.
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by kg1961 »

wooferdog wrote:if the vehicle has 2 12 volt batteries and it is a negative ground all you have to do is connect the stereo system to 1 of the batteries like on a semi.take the volt meter and confirm the 12 volts where the batteries are connected in series and your good to go,but this is only if you have 2 batteries and not 1 big 24 volt.they do this a lot with golf cart systems also.you could always put 2 12 volt's in if you have the space and it would work also.
Sorry thats what I ment two battery one 12 v audio the other 24v car
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by itchnertamatoa »

there are some 24V audio equipment out there ... not the best quality wise, but they do work ...
amp : http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLTA180-Chan ... B0071I16DY
headunit : http://www.marineelectricalsolutions.co ... 505/505166
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by ttocs »

ok this is probably a stupid question but one I have just never considered having never worked on a 24v system. Can you take 2 12v batteries and put them in series to = 24v out, but then tap the center of the battery connection to get 12v for the audio?
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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by Drock »

Scott, you could do that. But I'm pretty sure you would kill the batteries in no time at all. They would constantly be unbalanced pulling off one another.


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Re: System into a 24 volt vehicle??

Post by mr tibbs »

From what I understand pulling from just one battery is a big no no. It unbalances the system and will eat batteries quickly. The more I think about it I'm hoping I can fit a second alt and a third battery in. Then run a dedicated 12 volt fuse box to run all future 12 volt accessories off of.

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