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Headlight switch options.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Dondo, Nov 10, 2005.

  1. Nov 10, 2005
    Dondo

    Dondo These are my good pants..

    Hutchinson, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2004
    Messages:
    314
    Dondo, Nov 10, 2005
    #1
  2. Nov 10, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    This is a basic Ohm's law problem. If you reduce the voltage from 24v to 12v then the current draw will double, and vice versa. Therefore, (generally speaking) when you convert a vehicle from a 6v system to a 12v system, you will be OK since the system was designed to carry twice the amperage that it will be carrying in the new configuration. In your case though, you are going the opposite direction and you *could* have undersizing issues in the stock 24-volt system when converting to 12v.

    I know lots of folks who have converted from 24v to 12 in early miltary vehicles with no damage done; Depending on how much stuff you plan to run on the 12v system, you might be OK, or you might not. You maty end up installing some relays in high-draw circuits and using the stock systems just to pull the relays up.

    Clear as mud?
     
    w3srl, Nov 10, 2005
    #2
  3. Nov 10, 2005
    Dondo

    Dondo These are my good pants..

    Hutchinson, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2004
    Messages:
    314
    Oh, sorry. I neglected to mention, everything on the Jeep is 12v now. My '53 has a Buick 231. Basically, what I was trying to ask (sorry, too much Scotch tonight I think.. ), was if I can get an origional 6v light switch (like the one on eBay), and use it to run my 12 volt running lights, dash lights, headlights, etc.

    Sorry for the cornfusion. :)

    Dondo
     
    Dondo, Nov 10, 2005
    #3
  4. Nov 10, 2005
    Dondo

    Dondo These are my good pants..

    Hutchinson, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2004
    Messages:
    314
    or was mine 24v?

    Dang, I don't remember..
     
    Dondo, Nov 10, 2005
    #4
  5. Nov 11, 2005
    65CJ5

    65CJ5 Member

    Albuquerque
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    156
    My M715 is 12V and I've used the mil-style turn signal switch with no problems. You can probably use that switch as-is and be OK as long as you don't run a lot of amps through it. If you want to handle heavy loads just use the switch to switch relays and then the relays can handle the actual loads.

    Stan
     
    65CJ5, Nov 11, 2005
    #5
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