12V Emergency lights on 24V system?

[Lax]

I am hoping to mount a Federal Signal mini light bar with three emergency lights on my cab (two red, one center clear) and a siren with one (1) 100 watt speaker mounted on the grill of my 71 AM General Deuce. The lights and sound system are 12 V and I checked with Federal Signal today and found out the light bar will draw between 15 and 20 amps. No idea about the siren but I would think not a great deal and only for short periods.

My question is how do I get the necessary 12 V to the lights and siren as cheaply, efficiently and easily as possible?

Let the arguing begin!!

 

[nk14zp]

If it was on my truck I'd hook it up to the front battery.

 

[steelandcanvas]

Do a search. This topic has been beat to death lately

 

[DUG]

I would hook it to my 12 volt fusebox.

That doesn't help you though. There has been a ton of discussion about this in the last month. I'm sure you'll find your answer.

 

[bratpackdad]

With 20 + years of driving vehicles with lights and sirens, I say use a seperate 12v system. It will save alot of hassle later.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/electrical/62180-24v-winch-12v-vehicle.html

 

[oldMan99]

If I recall correctly the siren will be fused with a 20 amp ATO type fuse meaning it will probably draw about 12-15 amps.

My suggestion is that if this is a permanent install I would install a dedicated 12v system with it's own alternator and at least 1 battery. If it is temporary for a specific event or something then like somebody said above, just attach the loads to your first battery (With a fuse at the battery of course).

As noted on some of the previous responses, the best way to accomplish a separate 12v system has just recently been discussed.

This link, (depending on how much of it you read), may be helpful: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/61104-converting-dual-alternators.html

 

[doghead]

Are you aware of the "legal issues" with having red emergency lights on a vehicle in NY?

I would use a 24 to 12v convertor. I think Headwizard may still have some f/s.

 

[pctrans]

Or you could always hook up two items in "series".....

 

[jasonjc]

FED make a 24volt siren and if you use a strobe light bar they two will run on 24 volt.
If you pull that muck for one batt you will have probelms.

 

[Lax]

Hello Dodhead,
I am aware of the red light rules in New York. I was actually given the light bar by the local fire chief as surplus. Since I use my deuce for a lot of parades, etc. it will be used for that purpose mostly. I don't plan on using it to pull over "perps" or doing "felony stops".

I know the 24V to 12V has been beaten to death but it seems to be mostly white noise with a lot of guessing and speculation. I was hoping to hear from someone that ACTUALLY has done this with good results.

At this point it seems that a duel voltage alternator with a separate battery seems to be the easiest most efficient system. The goal is to find an inexpensive (new or used), direct drop in alternator that does not need any or much modifying of either the truck, bracket/s or alternator.

 

[juddspaintballs]

Good luck finding an inexpensive dual voltage alternator.

 

[Lax]

I'm finding that out... Maybe a 24V to 12V converter should be Plan B.

 

[Crawdaddy]

Why don't you just get the dual alternator bracket from tm america, a couple cheap delco alternators to fit it, and a 12v battery. For right around $200 total you can have seemingly unlimited amounts of power in both 24v and 12v.

 

[DUG]

Yup.

 

[doghead]

Or buy a 24V to 12v convertor for $50... all choices.


I've had weed offered to me buy cops, that don't make it legal!

 

[General Mcgregor]

Why don't you just get the dual alternator bracket from tm america, a couple cheap delco alternators to fit it, and a 12v battery. For right around $200 total you can have seemingly unlimited amounts of power in both 24v and 12v.

Do you have a link for that Dual Alternator bracket?

 

[DUG]

Do you have a link for that Dual Alternator bracket?

Search "alt" in the classifieds. You can replace both like I did or just add a 12 volt. Brackets are 75 each set. It cost me 40ish for my 12 volt alt since I had no core. You''ll need one new belt and a third battery (to do it like I did, not like Harry F ing Potter).

I added a relay to turn my 12 volts on and off and a gauge to monitor it. Then you can add a fusebox, etc, etc.

The best part is you can do it like Johnny Cash - one piece at a time.

If you have trouble finding the ad look for TM America aka George.

 

[juddspaintballs]

FWIW, a couple years ago I bought a AD244 alternator from a junk yard for $40. It is an extremely common 2 wire alternator found in newer style ('01+) full size GM trucks/SUVs.

I'm sure you could buy a 1 wire alternator with a V groove pulley for the same price or less if you looked at junk yards. Most of them guarantee them to work for 30 days, so at least you won't walk away with a complete hunk of junk.

 

[nk14zp]

Search "alt" in the classifieds. You can replace both like I did or just add a 12 volt. Brackets are 75 each set. It cost me 40ish for my 12 volt alt since I had no core. You''ll need one new belt and a third battery (to do it like I did, not like Harry F ing Potter).

I added a relay to turn my 12 volts on and off and a gauge to monitor it. Then you can add a fusebox, etc, etc.

The best part is you can do it like Johnny Cash - one piece at a time.

If you have trouble finding the ad look for TM America aka George.

I made my bracket and used dodge alt.

 

[Lax]

Does the "bracket" allow me to simply add a 12 alternator to the current system with no modification to the duel belt set up? Can I just run a simple 12V alternator off one of the two belts now in use? That seems to be a pretty good idea.

I think a converter would be a good idea too but to amp output (20A?) would be far less then a 12V alternator and separate battery.