m376x6

The only problem with converting a 24 volt system to 12 volt is the gage of the wiring. Normally the wiring in our trucks is 14 awg. The work a device performs is measured in watts. 24 volts uses half the current that 12 volts uses. For instance, headlights, a headlamp is generally rated at 50 watts. To get 50 watts from a 24 volt system requires a hair over 2 amps, for 12 volts, it requires just over 4 amps. A single device drawing 4 amps on a 14 awg wire is fine, but add the second headlight, the marker lights which now have double the current and all the other devices that require double the current to run at 12 volts and you can quickly overload a 14 awg wire. You can reliably run a 14 awg wire at 15 amps. A single marker light being supplied with a 14 awg wire is overkill, no problems what so ever. But add up all the lights in your instrument panel, your marker lights, your headlights, possibly a spotlight, and all of them being controlled by single 14 awg wire supplying a light switch and the single wire can be overloaded. Also, the internal switch contacts were designed around 24 volts and can burn up themselves. How many folks have replaced a smoked light switch. Even the new pushbutton boxes are subject to failure. Whether you're applying 12 or 24 volts to a 14 awg wire is of no importance, these voltages are too similar and too low a voltage to have any impact on the wire, it's the current or amperage that heats and burns a wire up. There are relaible converters to drop a voltage down to 12 volts. Remember, 12 and 24 really aren't 12 and 24. A typical 12 volt system runs at 13.8 volts and a 24 runs at 28 volts. With upper voltages as high as 15 and 29 resopectively. A simple conerter can be as easy as a resistor, these are okay as long as the load doesn't vary. You'll need to know the current used by the device and this will determine the resistance and wattage rating of the resisitor. Some converters are regulated and will cover a wide range of current loads up to their maximum amperage rating. If I can help you out in any way please fell free to to PM and I'll try to get you some answers.