DC converter confusion

9 posts / 0 new
Last post
jason c
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 10 months ago
Joined: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 13:31
Points: 18
DC converter confusion

Hi, I'm new here. Recently bought an XB-502 and I want to convert at least the main lighting (48v)over to(12v)LED as I ride to work in the dark and want to save some battery. The bulbs are rated at 56v, but have the standard automotive sockets. I have been reading through other threads about converting over to 12v and a DC converter seems to be the best way, although they don't really go into detail on how they put it in. I was hoping to find something small to put in-line before the bulb, but the converter seems to be big and for the whole system. I'm not sure how to wire one up for just the lights. Would it affect the brakes since they shut the motor off when applied? The turn signals are also tied into the horn. Any help is really appreciated.

hguido1
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 5 months ago
Joined: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 15:00
Points: 216
Re: DC converter confusion

Are you sure that they are 56v bulbs? I didnt have a dc converter on the schematic for my xb600. I pulled out the brake light bulb and it was a chinese bulb that said 12v on it. Have you tested the light connections with a multimeter to see the output voltage?

jason c
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 10 months ago
Joined: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 13:31
Points: 18
Re: DC converter confusion

I pulled them out to see what kind of bulbs it had. Turn sugnals are 56v/3w wedge style and the headlight is 56v/15w (1157) style, and I am assuming the tail light would be the same, but I haven't checked it. I tried a regular 12v bulb in the headlight and it flashed like a camera flash and then was dead. So I am pretty sure it's 48v.

hguido1
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 5 months ago
Joined: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 15:00
Points: 216
Re: DC converter confusion

I guess some of these models are coming with and without dc converters. Like I said before my schematic didn't show a converter at all. So what you might be able to do is get the regular schemic from this site for xb-600 with converter shown. I will try and find mine and post it but the only difference I noticed is the dc converter has three wires attached to it and it is located in the dash normally. I would think you could just wire it in and change the bulbs.

The orange wire from the controller goes to the ignition switch I believe and from there it connects to the blue wire from the controller which goes to the dc converter which you don't have. I wonder if you were to connect the blue wire to a 12v battery instead of the controller. Would the rest of the system see 12v instead of the 48v coming from the controller.I would check the blue wire from your controller and see what it is connected to now. This trick is used when you add batteries and go to say 60v or even 72v. The dc converter can't handle that much voltage so you attach the orange wire to the 48v tap on the batteries directly so it never sees it. Same idea here I guess.

Here is schematic on xb-600 with dc converter. http://www.markmilley.com/ev/xb600wiring.png

hguido1
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 5 months ago
Joined: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 15:00
Points: 216
Re: DC converter confusion

Here is a link to the wiring diagram on the xb-500. It too has a dc converter wired in.
http://www.x-tremescooters.com/electric_bicycles/xb500/images/adobe/technicaldocument.pdf

I found this document as well http://www.x-tremescooters.com/electric_bicycles/xb500/images/adobe/headlightbulbproblems.pdf

I think the schematic is wrong based off the document about the lights but it might help you to wire in a dc converter for the bike and then change all the bulbs. Good Luck

jason c
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 10 months ago
Joined: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 13:31
Points: 18
Re: DC converter confusion

Thanks. I might have just found a supplier for a LED bulb in 48v. I still need to find out if 48v is the true max or if it will take the 54v of a fully charged battery pack.

Hugh
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 6 months ago
Joined: Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 13:20
Points: 4
Re: DC converter confusion

im am having the same problem, i the day time you can barely see the signals, i can seem to find any 48V led's or bright "element" type bulbs. i hope someone out there can post a link( BTW your right the bulb do say 56V 3w) i'v used my Volt meter on the system and its like 49v. i think the Chines just used the 56v bolb cause it was close enough lol, as long as the bolb voltage is higher they won't burn out but won't be as bright...hens the problem, at lest this is what iv been told

Deputydaves
Deputydaves's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 years 7 months ago
Joined: Friday, February 5, 2010 - 08:54
Points: 70
Re: DC converter confusion

Dude look at my mods in the "Xb700li-mods" thread in this section
http://visforvoltage.org/forum/8376-xb700li-mods . I have all the info about LEDs and 12v converters including pics (toward bottom 1st page) and suppliers (somewhere around middle of 1st page).
Dave C. Stout

Dave C. Stout
STOUT PRODUCTIONS
Low Carbon Products

jason c
Offline
Last seen: 13 years 10 months ago
Joined: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 13:31
Points: 18
Re: DC converter confusion

I did put a set of these http://yaogaoju.en.made-in-china.com/product/kqBEgVfOJnlJ/China-LED-Auto-GB-T10-WG-5050-5W-.html in as parking lights. They are good up to 48v. They give out two for free as samples, just pay for shipping.
Here they are as running lights.
//i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn102/frogfartimports/scooter-park.jpg)
//i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn102/frogfartimports/scooter-park1.jpg)

I also bought a couple of these http://yaogaoju.en.made-in-china.com/product/OoyEuBeThnlG/China-Car-Light-GB-1157-5050-18W-.html , but the tabs on the bulb base are in the same plane instead of alternated like the stock. I bought a new socket to test them out, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Log in or register to post comments

Use code"Solar22" and enjoy 12% off for all solar Kits.


Who's online

There are currently 0 users online.

Who's new

  • Juli76
  • xovacharging
  • stuuno
  • marce002
  • Heiwarsot

Support V is for Voltage