Can You Put a 24v Battery in a 12V Ride on?
Many parents who are looking to buy a 24v ride-on for their son or daughter may be wondering if they can use a 24v battery in a 12v ride-on.
It might seem like the obvious answer is yes, but unfortunately, it's not advised.
24-volt batteries typically have twice as many cells as 12-volt batteries, meaning that you will need at least two 12 volt batteries to power your car instead of one 12 volt battery.
This doesn't mean that 24 volts are bad; they just require more space and weight than what most cars can handle.
What is the difference between 12v and 24v batteries?
A 24v battery has twice as many cells as a 12-volt battery, meaning that it usually takes two 12-volt batteries to power your car instead of one 12-volt.
Different cars have different requirements for the number and size of their batteries so you need to consult with the manufacturer before buying just any 24v battery.
Why would you want to put a 24v battery in a 12V ride-on?
A 24-volt battery is usually much larger and heavier than a 12-volt, so it's not always easy to find 24v batteries that are compatible with the car.
Also, the reason why manufacturers don't install 24-volt batteries in their cars is that they require twice as much space and weight as what most vehicles can handle.
A 24-volt battery is also harder on your child's 12v ride-on and can destroy its motor in some cases if you don't keep an eye on things for signs of wear or damage and also compatibility issues.
How do I install a 24v battery into my 12V ride-on?
To install a 24-volt battery into your 12v ride-on, you'll need to take it apart and use an alligator clip wire from the 24-volt battery to connect to the power input.
Install in reverse order for removal.
The 24v ride-on is a better choice if your child wants to go up hills or use the toy for more than an hour at a time, but be sure that they know how to handle and care for their 24v ride-on as they will be driving a more powerful car.
Also, this doesn't apply to every 24-volt car, so ensure you read the instructions the car came with.
What are some of the benefits of upgrading to a higher voltage system?
- 24v ride on car will go up hills better and be able to use for more than an hour at a time
- 24v cars can have increased range due to the 24-volt battery and are more efficient when charging. Any sort of battery needs to be fully charged before you use them for long periods of time.
- 24 volt systems provide power to the car and accessories without a lot of losses which means 24 volt ride-on cars are more efficient.
- 24v batteries have a much higher power density which means that they can provide the same amount of energy in less physical space.
- 24 volts is many times better than 12 volts because the battery can be made smaller but still able to hold as much charge and power.
Fuses
24 volt systems use a fuse to protect the battery from power surges. The 24-volt system uses a 50 amp fuse, which is only needed if you are using 24v remote controls or oversize motors.
12-volt batteries need 30 amps of continuous amperage for charging and 24 volts need 60 amps of charging voltage on an intermittent basis.
Again, this varies from car to car, so please check your instructions or check with the retailer that sold you the car.
You should check your owner's manual for specific information about which type of battery to use in the car or vehicle, but don't be surprised if you can find 24-volt equivalents for most models.
There are very few 24-volt models on the market because 24-volt batteries are more expensive and 24-volt motors, controllers, radios, and chargers cost significantly more than 12v models.
Gearbox
It is best to buy a new gearbox that is compatible with a 24-volt battery and motor. In fact, most of the components within your ride-on will need to be checked for compatibility.
Motherboard
If you change your 24-volt battery for a 12-volt one, you will also need to replace the motherboard with a 24-volt compatible one.
A 24-volt battery is different from 12 volts in that it has more amperage, which means it can give your child a stronger and faster ride.
Additionally, because 24-volt batteries are more expensive than 12-volt ones, this type of car or truck is often a more expensive option, so just keep that in mind.
Seat Belts
Now that the car has more power, the seat belts will need to be 24-volt compatible as well.
Additionally, if you are thinking about putting this type of battery into a smaller vehicle like an ATV or dirt bike then it would also make sense for the 24-volt battery to have a higher amperage.
How Do You Hook Up Two 12V Batteries to Make 24 Volts?
Note: We do not recommend this!
Parents can create a 24V ride-on toy vehicle by connecting two 12V batteries end to end in an electrical series.
There are two 12v batteries in this diagram. The positive terminal wire should be hooked to one battery, and the other battery’s negative terminal needs to be hooked up as well.
Best way to charge your new battery 24v battery
24-volt batteries should be charged with a 24-volt charger
In the process of charging your new 24v battery, you can't just use any 24-volt charger. 24v chargers are designed to charge the battery at a specific voltage and current
Also, 24-volt batteries should be charged with a 24-volt charger.
Can you put a 24v battery in the back seat of your car while driving or does it need its own compartment?
Wrapping Up
When it comes to the safety of our customers, we always recommend you consult a professional.
There are many variables that can come into play when replacing your battery and if they're not addressed properly or with care, it could be dangerous for everyone in the vicinity.
It’s important to know the difference between 12v and 24v batteries.
If you don't, then we wouldn't recommend attempting to replace the 12v battery with 24v. 24-volt batteries are for 24-volt ride-ons, and it's important to follow instructions closely if you're not sure about what type of battery your car is using.
It is also important that you have the right fuses and motherboard.
If your battery voltage is 24 volts, then it will not work in a 12-volt ride-on car, so make sure to get the correct size for what you need!
You can also put two batteries together to create more power which could solve any issues of needing too much power or running out quickly, but as we have repeatedly said, we wouldn't recommend that you do this.
Where possible, seek help from a professional electrician.
We hope this helps!
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
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