Running 24v on a 12v truck
 

Hello,
Got a question for everybody... Sorry if this topic has already been discussed, I couldnt find much info.

I might have an opportunity to buy a new ARB Dual Compressor for a really good deal (less than half retail price). The only problem is that its a 24v unit. I am wanting to use it on my '85 Yota for air lockers, filling tires, air tools, etc. but of course my truck is 12v.

I am considered running a 24v battery and a 24v alternator (where the AC compressor would go, truck never had AC) to power the ARB and possibly other 24v accessories (maybe a winch eventually). I have 2 strong and small Odyssey batteries I could wire up for 24v's and would only need an alternator. This 24v system would be separate from the vehicles 12v system.

Just wanted to see if there are any other options Im not thinking of or if anyone has any thoughts/ideas on running two different voltage systems in the same vehicle. Is there a benefit to having both 12 and 24 volts available?



Thanks for the help!

You could just install another 12 volt battery and a battery isolator, and keep the charging system and other stock 12 volt stuff you've got.

You'd still be able to draw 24 volts for whatever 24 volt accessories you want to run.

Thanks for the response.
I was wondering if that would be an option. I would be concerned about a component failing and feeding 24v into the whole truck or something bad like that though, that's why I was thinking of two separate systems.

RV's and others use solid state battery isolators all the time. They are very reliable.

The rest of your system is as good as you make it.

I remember the gyrations I went thru to make a 12 volt negative ground tape deck work in my 6 volt positive ground '52 Dodge pickup.

Worked well for many years though.

My 2 cents:
We picked the first-gen 4Runner for it's simplicity. I would not complicate it just to get a good deal on an add-on.