Running 24v LEDs off two 12v batteries

Keep in mind, you will void any warranty from a battery if you run them in series, most of them explicitly state as much.

I think I understand what you're recommending, keeping one battery connected to the truck normally and running a second battery in series and only running the power wire from the second battery to the lights. Not sure I'd trust that with the stock electrical system.

 

You would have to completely isolate the first battery

 

I think that's what the PAC unit is supposed to do, at least that's what I gathered when reading about it. Seems to be common for high powered stereo systems.

 

It is easier for me to draw. Frame (common ground) negative of first battery, positive of first battery to vehicle, to negative of second battery, then positive of next battery to lights then ground lights to frame. That gives 24 v to lights and not the truck.

 

Agreed, that's exactly what I said earlier, it's simply wiring 2 batteries in series which gives you 24V. Now how do you power the truck with 12 volts in there?

 

OP, do you have your setup wiring like the PAC wiring diagram?

 

Yeah, The PO ran a wire from the accessory post to one of battery post on the PAC unit.

 

The first battery powers the truck at 12v. Then tag the positive of that battery to the negative of the second battery (but do NOT connect that negative to ground , ie the frame) connect the positive of the second battery to the lights and then the negative of the lights to the frame.

 

Wire both batteries to be in series and you'd get 24v.

 

I'll give this a try tomorrow. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

This worked!thanks everyone for their input and help

 

Glad it worked out for you

 

Using two identical deep cycle batteries in series will produce 24 VDC, but recharging the batteries from your vehicle's 12-volt charging system will be tricky. A better approach is to use a 12 VDC to 24 VDC Converter sized to supply the necessary current for your 24 VDC LED lighting.