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electrical:converter [2019/01/03 16:24] frater_secessus [Converters] |
electrical:converter [2020/07/22 14:44] frater_secessus [aftermarket converters] |
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[[https://amzn.to/2RuAVjw|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41UEjIRC+3L._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] | [[https://amzn.to/2RuAVjw|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41UEjIRC+3L._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] |
A converter handles power and charging needs when connected to [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]]: | A converter (a.k.a. converter/charger) handles power and charging needs when connected to [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]]: |
- charge the [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|house battery]] | - charge the [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|house battery]] |
- provide 12v to power house loads | - provide 12v to power [[electrical:12v:loads|house loads]] |
- sometimes acts as a passthrough for 110v | - sometimes acts as a passthrough for 110v |
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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]]). | 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]]). |
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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. | This compromise setpoint should coincide with standard float voltage (Vfloat) 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.((Solar charging at a single setpoint, as with a [[electrical:solar:charge_controller&#shunt|shunt controller]], is done at [[electrical:solar:shunt_tweaking|Vabs rather than Vfloat]].)) |
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===== aftermarket converters ===== | ===== aftermarket converters ===== |
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Aftermarket converters tend to be higher quality than OEM, but some are still "dumb" single-stage chargers. Higher-end aftermarket converters often have multistage charging built in, or available as an upgrade.((See the PD w/Charge Wizard below)) | Aftermarket converters tend to be higher quality than OEM, but some are still "dumb" single-stage chargers. Higher-end aftermarket converters often have multistage charging built in, or available as an upgrade.((See the PD w/Charge Wizard below)) Note that a "dumb" charger might be fine if you have solar power on the vehicle, as the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]] is likely a "smart" charger. |
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Three converter makers are generally respected on the CRVL forum. In alphabetical order: | Three converter makers are generally respected on the CRVL forum. In alphabetical order: |
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===== DIY "converters" ===== | ===== DIY "converters" ===== |
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| ==== DIY dumb converters ==== |
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| Dumb converters output a single voltage (see above). |
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| FIXME |
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| ==== DIY smart converters ==== |
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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]]. | 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]]. |