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electrical:converter [2020/07/22 14:44]
frater_secessus [aftermarket converters] 		electrical:converter [2023/06/10 19:46]
frater_secessus [DIY dumb converters]
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   - charge the [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|house battery]]   - charge the [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|house battery]]
   - provide 12v to power [[electrical:12v:loads|house loads]]   - provide 12v to power [[electrical:12v:loads|house loads]]
-  - sometimes acts as a passthrough for 110v 
  
 For turning 12v into 110v see [[electrical:inverter|inverters]]. For turning 12v into 110v see [[electrical:inverter|inverters]].
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 ===== charging the house battery ===== ===== charging the house battery =====
-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((single-stage)) (lacking [[electrical:12v:charging|smart charging]] functions).   
 + 
 +Note:  if you have sufficient solar to complete Absorption then a "dumb" converter can work fine and shore power will support the battery on subsequent days.  In this model the converter + solar would contribute up to [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|Vfloat]], then solar would raise the bank to Vabs and fall back to Vfloat when Absorption is done.  Shore power holds Vfloat indefinitely thereafter.  
 + 
 +Some single-stage converters allow the user to configure the float voltage, typically somewhere between 13.2v - 13.8v.  If the converter does not allow this adjustment then pick one with an appropriate float voltage ([[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|Vfloat]]) for your battery bank.   
 + 
 + 
  
-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]].))  
  
  
 ===== aftermarket converters ===== ===== aftermarket converters =====
  
-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.+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))  
  
  
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   * [[http://amzn.to/2fduYjS|Iota]]   * [[http://amzn.to/2fduYjS|Iota]]
   * [[http://amzn.to/2gsuxYa|Powermax]]   * [[http://amzn.to/2gsuxYa|Powermax]]
-  * [[http://amzn.to/2fumkhL|Progressive dynamics]] with Charge Wizard built in or added+  * [[http://amzn.to/2fumkhL|Progressive dynamics]] with Charge Wizard built in or added.  Note:  the PD [[https://diysolarforum.com/threads/high-amp-dc-dc-charger.9308/post-101689|may be better suited for shore power sources]] rather than generator charging.
  
  
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 SternWake says he leans toward Progressive Dynamics //"for the ability to choose stages, holding 14.4 for 4 hours at the press of a button"//((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-charger-converter-vs-smart-portable-charger?pid=158374#pid158374)) SternWake says he leans toward Progressive Dynamics //"for the ability to choose stages, holding 14.4 for 4 hours at the press of a button"//((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-charger-converter-vs-smart-portable-charger?pid=158374#pid158374))
 +
 +===== shore power chargers =====
 +
 +[[https://amzn.to/2SLzlwk|{{ https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81CYeL3EpWL._AC_UY218_.jpg?125}}]]
 +When bulk charging is handled by other means a [[https://amzn.to/2SLzlwk|small (10-20A) smart charger/maintainer]] may be sufficient.  They are generally not intended to be permanently mounted in the vehicle so mounting may have to be fabricated, or storage found for it when not in use. 
  
 ===== DIY "converters" ===== ===== DIY "converters" =====
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 ==== DIY dumb converters ==== ==== DIY dumb converters ====
  
-Dumb converters output a single voltage (see above).  +"Dumb" converters output a single voltage and work fine when solar charging is present (see above) or when the bank is lithium chemistry.  In this scenario the 12v power supply can is set to ~13.x voltages to provide "low float" support while on shore power.  
  
-FIXME+If loads are run off the converter in the daytime the converter will just be supporting the solar yield and can be rather small.  If used at night the converter will be carrying the whole burdern should be sized to your expected loads ([[https://amzn.to/2WNSIDL|20A]], [[https://amzn.to/3jwQGBO|40A]], whatever).
  
  
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   * secondary use of charge controller as a spare if needed   * 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. +Further reading: 
 + 
 +  * [[https://diysolarforum.com/threads/variable-power-supply-and-mppt-for-charging-lifepo4-bank.23026/post-277337|an EE chimes in]]  
 +  * Owner of Midnite Solar [[https://diysolarforum.com/threads/testing-mpp-charge-controller-function-with-bench-power-supply.11183/#post-124018|chimes in]] 
electrical/converter.txt · Last modified: 2024/06/25 12:07 by frater_secessus

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