[atlanman1104]

I am the proud new Papa of a new to me '99 Ram 2500 cumins turbo diesel. I got a pretty good deal on two LED off road lights......F F F FREE! LOL! Anyways, the only experiance I have working on vehicle is with 12V vehicle systems and accessories, the problem I am having is that my truck is a 24V system and the lights are 24V as well :4-dontknow:. I have been told that there is an inline step down somehwere after the alternator and that the 24V is to start the vehicle so I think I will be good on accessories after that i.e. radio/stereo system. I guess my question is how do I install these lights, would they go in before the alternator streight off the battery, and if so do i need to run a positive line from both batteries to the swtich and then one back out to the lights. And how is the ground gonna be done switch and lights, switch to lights then ground th lights? really lost on this, any help is appreciated.

 

[GearHd6]

Your truck is a 12 volt system. It's got 2 batteries but it's still 12 volts. They're hooked in Parallel meaning + to + and - to - which just doubles your capacity, not doubling your voltage.

 

[Screamintrashcan]

I firmly believe Gearheads statement, 2 batteries are placed in there for reserve capacity, kinda like running 2 big 6 volts on your plow truck, instead of one 12 volt. Much easier on the alternator, and voltage remains more stable, keeping electronics happy. In your case, Most HD pickups have 2- 12 volts, I suppose, because 12 volts are so much more common, and cheap. Anyhow, there is a way to step these down, I need to research this, we used to be able to run 28v landing/taxi lights off 12v, but they were amazingly thirsty for electrons, and heat producers. LEDs, probably much better. I'm going to look this up, I'll be back, soon as I do a little research, I'm thinking you may have to use an inverter, to go to 120 VAC, then down to 24VDC...

 

[GearHd6]

Sounds to me like it's easier to get 12 volt lights. I don't think there is any way to get 24v power out of your set up. Seeing the truck requires 12v to operate I don't think you can hook dedicated wires in series just for the lights and not be shorting things out.