solar converter

[mac]

Well, here I am in Haiti working on an HJ61 for a friend. He has a solar converter and I'm working on a stereo and alarm install. I have the converter hooked up to convert but the voltage off of the white wire is only 9.4V- not enough. He's had the converter for a couple of years and I believe it was hooked up in balance mode. When I opened the cover the 12v fuse was melted into oblivion. Needless to say it was not working when I arrived. Any ideas? Any other alternatives to a solar converter in a 4th world country? Thanks!

Mac

 

[seapotato]

sounds like the same thing that happened to mine...lasted a couple years then kinda did a chernobyl on me. got a generic one I picked up off ebay for 10 bucks now.

actually were quite a few 12-24 converters on there. most quite cheap compared to the solars.

cheers,
ryan

 

[Stone]

sounds like the same thing that happened to mine...lasted a couple years then kinda did a chernobyl on me. got a generic one I picked up off ebay for 10 bucks now.

actually were quite a few 12-24 converters on there. most quite cheap compared to the solars.

cheers,
ryan

The Solar Converters are not simple step-down converters like the one you have picked up. The great thing about Solar Converters is their ability to be hooked up in Load Balance mode to equalize two batteries hooked up in series in a battery bank. There are plenty of other good strict step down DC-DC converters out there...ICT out of Langley BC provides industrial quality step down converters to large corporations like Motorola and the US military (a friend of mine is actually a part owner of that company and he took me for a personalized tour of the factory...pretty impressive).

FWIW...I've had my Solar Converter hooked up in my BJ74 for three years now. Not a hint of trouble so far.

I hope you find a local alternative. Cheers.

 

[Greg_B]

FWIW...I've had my Solar Converter hooked up in my BJ74 for three years now. Not a hint of trouble so far. Cheers.

Sorry to hear the trouble mac. Do you know any techy folks who could look it over and see about fixing it?

Over 4 years in the BJ42, and over 2 years in the BJ74 now too, with no issues on the converters. Once the load balance issue when sitting or in cold weather is dealt with, and if it is hooked up correctly it seems okay. I've been running mine with a relay since the beginning of Dec, so it is in 24v-12v stepdown when off, and in load balance when running. Seems okay so far.

You're right Stone...it is not the simple typical mondo heat sink type converter.

I've had remarkably few returns and the few that have come back for checking it usually comes down to unknowingly incorrect install or use. Incorrect install: (neutral wire to frame instead of lowside battery neutral pole) (majorly mismatched batteries) (not being taken in and out of system in the correct sequence time after time and blowing fuses). All of which seems to pooch the converter over time. But, if hooked up correctly, and connected/disconnected correctly it seems okay.

I stand by the idea if you want plug and play, or are having someone else hook up the converter....then hook it up in simple 24v-12v convert mode only. Even then you have to be aware to take the converter out of the system before you disconnect the batteries. If others work on your vehicle this is not done unless the owner tells the tech.

If you are doing your own install, understand the converter and pitfalls of load balance mode, then play away...

It's pretty much covered in this thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=33070

hth's

gb

 

[mac]

Update:
All is well with the converter. Turns out one of his batteries was pooched and so the converter popped a fuse every time it was hooked up. Too much to balance? I could only achieve 9V from the low side because that's all it was putting out. I have it hooked up to equalize now and it is working fine with a new battery installed. The battery that failed was only 7 months old- kind of concernig. This is Haiti though- you never really know what you're buying. I have the stereo installed but the autostart/alarm is giving me difficulties. I'm going to throw in the towel and enjoy the rest of this trip! Thanks for listening!

Mac

 

[Stone]

hey Mac:

If one battery is completely toast, then I would imagine that this was the source of your problem. The best way is to always start with two fresh batteries that are the eact same size and condition...but in your part of the world, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Best way to deal with a 12V alarm system in a 24V vehicle is to totally isolate the 12V alarm system from the 24V vehicle. What I mean by that is by using 24V relays to link the alarm with the ignition, and using 12V relays triggered by the alarm's module to control 24V functions like light flash and starter/fuel kill and door lock/window functions. Mixing the two voltage systems up will cause funky current flow through your alarm.

I haven't put in a remote starter, so I don't have any info on that. Good luck!

 

[colin 4]

sometimes i'll pop a fuse in my solar converter if my set screw for the load balence mode gets too out of wack.