ATC King, I appreciate the info and links you provided. To explain my thoughts a little better.......my reason to stay with the AC system and not convert to DC is not to cheap out, and has nothing to do with money. Money isn't an issue for me. I want to keep my trike reliable in stock form, and I don't want the extra weight of a battery, nor a battery dependent vehicle in order to run. I like the simplicity of the AC setup. If it's a decision between converting to DC with battery to run LED or not run LED, I'll take the no LED option.
But if I can get decent life out of Cree LED's ( which are top of the line and what Rigid Industries uses) on an AC system with a voltage regulator without compromising the stock electrical system, that's worth doing for my purposes.
As long as the Voltage regulator can keep the voltage below 14V, I see no reason the LED's won't last much longer than 1 year, and I would think they would last many, many years. I just used 1 year as a loose number that even if that's all I got out of them, it would be worth it to me just so I can stay AC and not have a battery. People spend way more on tires, gas, and other operating expenses a year to ride their trikes. To me, $50 a year is nothing considering the value added its providing, if that was only how long they lasted, which i think won't be the case. I'm willing to be the guinea pig and try this out long term. If they flicker a little at idle, I'm ok with that.
I do think the "living life through google" comment made by the other guy was rather rude, and the fact you took the time to offer info and help us learn more about how this AC electrical system works is appreciated.
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Originally Posted by ATC King
