24v to 12v voltage dropper for trailer socket

[Joe T]

I have a car transporter that gets used by a few people, but my latest project is a 24v Nissan Patrol.
I could change all the bulbs in the trailer, but then would have to change them back when someone else uses it.

I have had a look around and have seen quite a few single line converters, but looking at the towbar wiring I think it would mean I need 5 of them!
Indicator Left 21w
Indicater Right 21w
Brake Lights 42w
Side Lights 20w
Fog lights 42w

Is there an off the shelf item for trailers about that I have missed?

Next search was for LED 24v/12V bulbs as apparantly they work over a large voltage range, anyone tried LED bulbs at 12 and 24 volts?

Any input gratefully recieved.

Cheers

Joe

[GreenV8S]

There must be a common solution to this, and I guess it would be a big hefty 12V regulated voltage supply. To save component costs you could use a single big regulator, then connect each lighting circuit via a 24V relay driven by the original signal from the tow car. For extra brownie points perhaps you could connect it via male/female trailer socket connectors so you don't need to modify the trailer or tow car wiring.

A much less elegant but even lower tech approach would be to take a complete duplicate set of 12V bulbs matching the ones on the trailer, and wire them up in series (i.e. the 'extra' indicator bulb in series with the real indicator) so each bulb only sees half the voltage. Again you could connect via male/female connectors so you don't need to modify the tow car or trailer.

Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 19th April 00:16

[leginigel]

GreenV8S said:

There must be a common solution to this, and I guess it would be a big hefty 12V regulated voltage supply. To save component costs you could use a single big regulator, then connect each lighting circuit via a 24V relay driven by the original signal from the tow car. For extra brownie points perhaps you could connect it via male/female trailer socket connectors so you don't need to modify the trailer or tow car wiring.

A much less elegant but even lower tech approach would be to take a complete duplicate set of 12V bulbs matching the ones on the trailer, and wire them up in series (i.e. the 'extra' indicator bulb in series with the real indicator) so each bulb only sees half the voltage. Again you could connect via male/female connectors so you don't need to modify the tow car or trailer.

Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 19th April 00:16

I have daf 45 recovery truck with the same set up has work for the last 6 years.The single regulator also lets me have 24v socket aswell

[R6RY D]

Why dont you just put 24v bulbs in the trailer?

[leginigel]

R6RY D said:

Why dont you just put 24v bulbs in the trailer?

Do it and find out.

[R6RY D]

not sure i follow? if its just a case of getting lights working, why wouldnt 24v bulbs work in 24 system? cos at my work when we use the trailer board we just swap bulbs for applications?

[Joe T]

R6RY D said:

not sure i follow? if its just a case of getting lights working, why wouldnt 24v bulbs work in 24 system? cos at my work when we use the trailer board we just swap bulbs for applications?

Hi we use several differnt trucks to pull the car transporter, we would have to swap all the bulbs out dependant on which truck, this would be a real pain as we leave it on site sometimes and another truck picks it up. It has lights on the front and side so trailer board not good.

I went the relay route all sorted many thanks

Cheers

Joe