24V-12V converter with extra battery question

[CDN_Cruzer]

I have done a lot of searches and read up a fair bit on using 24V to 12V converters.

I have decided I need to add another battery as it will allow me to use it while I am camping for a few days in a given spot and not have to worry about when it comes time to start the truck.

I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to purchase a Solar Converter with load balancing or because I am going to be adding a extra battery would I be ok running a slightly cheaper converter maybe an ICT or something I would prefer not to have to spend the extra $$$ on the Solar converter.


If it matters I will be installing this in a HJ60 and it gets down to -35 in the winters where I live and I sometimes don’t drive my truck for a week at a time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron R]

Yes, using an extra battery is a good option for your purposes and yes, a simple 24 -> 12V converter is fine. The only thing you have to look at is that this converter has an output of 13,8 V.
Many converters deliver a voltage in the range of about 12,8 V. This is not a high enough voltage to charge the battery to full capacity.
Strangely enough often it is that way that the cheapest converters (just a power regulator on a large cooling profile) deliver this 13,8 volts. A lot of power is lost in the conversion compared to switching converters but that is not that important.

 

[Freewheel]

I've got a simple converter (on an ignition switched relay) on mine, but I've also got a nifty little gadget that I found necessary in my install. Made by Samlex, It's a passive battery backup power router. Cost $61 CDN. It routes 12V to your accessories and to your backup battery ( to charge it) When the power from the main batteries/alternator is cut off (like when you turn the car off) the backup switches to the 12 v single accesory battery to run your 12v accessories.
I put this in because my converter would not charge the battery properly AND run the radio. ( My auxilary battery is a small 6ah gel cell, and it basically just provides power for the radio memory.)
The converter is a Samlex SDC-23 20 amp 24-12volt converter $109 CAD
the Battery Backup module is BBM-1225 item # 08151 $61 CAD

I had to modify the current limiting resistors in the BBM-1225 so it would not fry the little gel cell - It is designed to charge a full size automotive battery.

Both of these units fit nicely under the dash above the glove box.

I don't know where you'll put a full size battery - thats why I went with the gel.

Oh,and I made the 24-12v converter ignition switched cause I was afraid it would wear on the main batteries if it was left on all the time.
If you have any questions, I may not be on the group for a week due to work, but I'll be back eventually...