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I am switching to 12 volt on my M37 ,have everthing installed I think..12 volt coil. lights.,guages...etc...and new wiring.my question is can I use the same circuit breakers for the 12 volt system? I have no accessories on the truck.

Hi macibell,

Yes and no. We're talking DC here, so V=IR, where V = voltage, I = current, and R = resistance. If the resistances of the 12V electrical components you're using are the same as their 24V counterparts, then from the equation, at 12V you'll be drawing half the current you'd be drawing at 24V. That means the circuit breaker won't trip until you've doubled the normal current going thru the wiring, which will probably fry some of the 12V components if it happens. Now if the resistances of the 12V components are about twice that of their 24V counterparts the circuit breakers will still be sized right. Just make sure the 12V wiring can handle those amps. So yes, the current breakers will work in the sense that they'll pass current in the 12V system....but they may not be providing the protection they were designed for.

I'm sure others on here have converted to 12V systems and can give you some real world experience on this stuff......I'm just talking theoretical BS.

regards,
bob

Hello Bob
you do provide a very good point. I wonder if the all 12v conversions that we hear about were looked at in the way you mentioned. Keep up the good work Bob.

thanks for the input,I am using a brand new vwom wiring kit with no added accessories,just horn gauges and stock lights,I will try the originals ,check the risistance and see how it works thanks again,