How to step down 24v to 12v of radio and etc ??
- Thread starter In2cruisers
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Actually the 20amp Solar is $42cad less than the 20 amp ICT (depending where you shop) The Solar converters can be wired as straight convert OR load balance if you expect intermittent 12v loads that exceed the 20amp rating. Solar converters are weather proof and thus can be mounted in the engine bay. Another bonus is that they don't look like a stereo amp and are less likely to get stolen along with the rest of your system. Yes.. I once had and ICT 20amp.. and out there somewhere is some guy trying to figure out why his subs just make a weird humming noise.
there are waterproof models at OKoffroad and from 4wheelauto they run from $100 to $300 depending an how much juice you need?
I ran a positive and negative wire with in-line fuse off of one battery to my stereo -- works like a champ. I even hooked up an additional light for my interior off of the same wire.
It is dangerous to run a 12v tap off a 24v system.
Nissan did this on the Patrol for a 12v radio.
Big mistake. It cost them lots in blown batteries.
Here is good article about it. AND WORTH THE READ:
http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/12v&24v.htm
G&S cruiser parts has a good right up about 12v draws on a 24v system.
Here is the link:
http://www.gscruiserparts.com/solar.html
2 days ago I did not know this.
I went searching and found the above links.
I am glad I did.
Cheers,
Nick
- Thread starter
- #8
Would love to find 20amp for $42.00cad....
I am in the states and am having trouble finding them. Could you give me more info or place to contact.
Thank you
Sheldon actually said it's $42 cheaper.
Not $42 total.
Sheldon actually does sell them.
http://www.gscruiserparts.com/solar.html
I have one on my truck. Stone installed soon after he got the truck.
As Stone said. It has been working awesome for 3 years.
And the batteries are just as good as when he put them in.
Here is the thread on his install:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=33070
Cheers,
Nick
A question about how the solar converter works:
In balance mode. Am I drawing my power from the solar converter? or 12v off one battery, and the converter is just balancing both?
Is that why in balance mode I am not limited to 20amps?
So then the question then arises, how much could I draw? And how much could the conveter actaully balance?
I.E. Could the converter balance a winch drawing 400 amps? I don't think I ever would do this, I am just wondering, what it is capable of. I.E Could it deal with a solid 50amps worth of draw?
I know that in straight convert mode, I am getting uptp 20amps from the converter, and its not balancing. Is there any benifit to this mode? Am I better to run it in this mode if I have less than 20amps of draw?
Cheers,
Nick
In balance mode. Am I drawing my power from the solar converter? or 12v off one battery, and the converter is just balancing both?
Is that why in balance mode I am not limited to 20amps?
So then the question then arises, how much could I draw? And how much could the conveter actaully balance?
I.E. Could the converter balance a winch drawing 400 amps? I don't think I ever would do this, I am just wondering, what it is capable of. I.E Could it deal with a solid 50amps worth of draw?
I know that in straight convert mode, I am getting uptp 20amps from the converter, and its not balancing. Is there any benifit to this mode? Am I better to run it in this mode if I have less than 20amps of draw?
Cheers,
Nick
Here, try these guys. http://www.spsenergy.com/index.htm, or try the marine supply shops in your area as well.
Cheers
Dan
I bought one from Powerstream in Utah - about $65 for 10amp. No problems after one year www.powerstream.com. It fits above the glove box in my BJ74 with just a little work.
I can smell trouble.
Read my thread here https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=106365
Because of a mistake like you just did by someone on my truck, it stayed 7 years in my garage before i figure out what that whoever did to my truck.
I just replace my 16 amp 24v to 12 v converter, pm me i'll send it to you for cheap.
Nick:
Yes, you can draw a lot of intermittent amps from the low side battery while in load balance mode...the key here is "intermittent". Your Solar Converter will work to balance the two batteries the rest of the time that you are not pulling large 12V loads, including the time that your truck is sitting on the driveway.
I don't think I put an inline fuse on the main line coming from the engine bay to the 12V fuse block supply. So...what's limiting you is the fuse that you put into the slots to feed off of...even though I wouldn't run too much over 40A at a time unless you want to change the wiring over to even heavier gauge than what I already installed.
Yes, you can draw a lot of intermittent amps from the low side battery while in load balance mode...the key here is "intermittent". Your Solar Converter will work to balance the two batteries the rest of the time that you are not pulling large 12V loads, including the time that your truck is sitting on the driveway.
I don't think I put an inline fuse on the main line coming from the engine bay to the 12V fuse block supply. So...what's limiting you is the fuse that you put into the slots to feed off of...even though I wouldn't run too much over 40A at a time unless you want to change the wiring over to even heavier gauge than what I already installed.
It is dangerous to run a 12v tap off a 24v system.
Nissan did this on the Patrol for a 12v radio.
Big mistake. It cost them lots in blown batteries.
Here is good article about it. AND WORTH THE READ:
http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/12v&24v.htm
G&S cruiser parts has a good right up about 12v draws on a 24v system.
Here is the link:
http://www.gscruiserparts.com/solar.html
2 days ago I did not know this.
I went searching and found the above links.
I am glad I did.
Cheers,
Nick
WOW! I was unaware of this. I guess I have some things I need to change. It'll have to wait until I get back to the states. I just shipped it out of Okinawea today.
The only reason I did this is because the PO had installed some stupid "Rust Erator" off the one battery. I guess this explains why the fuse was blown on it.
I found a couple of units for u:
http://www.fairradio.com/powers.htm
Fairradio. com site is not very good, but they have lots of goodies.
...
http://www.fairradio.com/powers.htm
Fairradio. com site is not very good, but they have lots of goodies.
...
- Thread starter
- #17
Efficiency ratings are worth looking at when shopping for a converter. If the rating isn't posted you can usually get a pretty good idea how efficient or inefficient the unit is by the heatsinking or lack there of.