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electrical:converter [2017/10/01 11:23]
frater_secessus [Converters]
electrical:converter [2017/10/29 10:19]
frater_secessus [charging the house battery]
Line 16: Line 16:
  
 ===== charging the house battery ===== ===== charging the house battery =====
-OEM converters are notoriously cheap and dumb (lacking [[electrical:12v:charging|smart charging]] functions).  They either undercharge or overcharge, and both cases can damage lead-acid batteries ([[electrical:batterycide|batterycide]]).+OEM converters are notoriously cheap and dumb (lacking [[electrical:12v:charging|smart charging]] functions).  Since they are stuck at one voltage the manufacturer picks a compromise setpoint.  If this is set too high or too low //for your usage patterns// it can damage lead-acid batteries ([[electrical:batterycide|batterycide]]). 
 + 
 +This compromise setpoint should coincide with standard float voltages for your battery bank.  Typically this would be 13.2v - 13.4v for converters that are always on the grid, and 13.8v for batteries that are cycled but get put back on grid charging regularly. 
  
 ===== aftermarket converters ===== ===== aftermarket converters =====
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 ===== DIY "converters" ===== ===== DIY "converters" =====
  
-It is possible to build a [[https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/poor-mans-converter/|DIY converter from a power supply and MPPT charge controller]].  The benefits are lower cost and greater configurability.+It is possible to build a [[https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/poor-mans-converter/|DIY converter from a power supply and MPPT charge controller]].   
 + 
 +Benefits include: 
 +  * lower cost than a comparable commercial product 
 +  * greater configurability 
 +  * secondary use of charge controller as a spare if needed
  
 If you do not need smart charging an adjustable voltage power supply could do the trick.  Since by definition the batteries aren't cycling when on shore power you could adjust it to something like 13.2v and let it "float" charge over time.  If you do not need smart charging an adjustable voltage power supply could do the trick.  Since by definition the batteries aren't cycling when on shore power you could adjust it to something like 13.2v and let it "float" charge over time. 
electrical/converter.txt · Last modified: 2024/06/25 12:07 by frater_secessus