How to Install a 12V Converter & Find Keyed Power on a Club Car Precedent | Step-by-Step Guide (Step-by-Step)
If you’re installing accessories on your golf cart — like lights, a sound system, or a fan — you’ll likely need a voltage converter. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to hook it up. In this guide, we’ll walk you through finding the correct wire, testing it with a multimeter, and making a safe connection that ensures your accessories only run when the cart is turned on.
Why Keyed Power Matters
When wiring accessories, you’ll want them to turn on and off with the key switch, not run constantly. The wire that only has voltage when the key is turned to “ON” is called the keyed power wire. Connecting your voltage converter here means you won’t have to manually disconnect the battery to stop draining power.
Tools & Materials You’ll Need
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A basic multimeter (set to DC volts)
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Quick splice connector
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Wire cutter/stripper
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Your voltage converter (comes with a ring terminal pre-attached)
Step 1: Locate the Key Switch Wires
On the back of your cart’s ignition key switch, you’ll find several wires. Commonly, these may be green and blue wires, but this can vary depending on your model.
Step 2: Test with a Multimeter
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Set your multimeter to the DC voltage setting.
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Place the negative lead on the negative terminal of the battery.
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Touch the positive lead to one of the key switch wires.
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Example:
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On the green wire: 52 volts (regardless of key position).
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On the blue wire: 0 volts (when key is off).
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Turn the key ON → blue wire now shows 52 volts.
This confirms the blue wire is the keyed power.
Step 3: Prepare the Converter Connection
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Cut off the ring terminal that came attached to the voltage converter input wire.
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Use a quick splice connector to tie into the keyed power wire (in this example, the blue wire).
This ensures your voltage converter only activates when the cart’s key is on.
Step 4: Alternative Method (Always Powered)
If you prefer, you can connect the converter’s input directly to the positive terminal of the battery.
⚠️ Be aware: this will supply power to your accessories all the time. To shut them off, you’d need to physically disconnect or turn off the battery. This isn’t ideal for most users, as it risks draining the battery accidentally.
Final Thoughts
For convenience and safety, we recommend hooking into the keyed power wire. This way, your voltage converter — and the accessories it powers — will only run when the cart is turned on. It’s a simple step that saves you from headaches down the road.
