| Author |
Message |
Les Seiler (Lester)
Registered Member
Username: Lester
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 67.158.66.157
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 11:00 pm: | |
In our bus we have a 3600 Trace inverter Model 3624. The shore power comes into the bus first through a transfer switch then into a 120 volt breaker. From the breaker it goes into the inverter. The inverter is then wired to four 8 D batteries. There is a 120 volt wire going into a distribution panel from the inverter. One wire from this box goes to a 45 amp converter. This converter supplies everything on 12 volts, lights, radio, etc. We have gone through 3 sets of batteries due to them boiling. Now we are told that this converter should not be there and the 12 volt should come directly from the 8 D batteries. The inverter is 24 volt. I am told the converter draws too much out of the batteries. [ the inverter was checked by a Trace rep and was found to be O.K.] We could e mail diagrams as to the way it is hooked up. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem with the converter might be ? |
Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 104
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 216.163.57.67
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 11:13 pm: | |
As I have read in several posts here, converters generally just put out too much power and do not step down the power as the batteries reach a full charge. They work great in 12 volt trailers and campers where the battery is small and usually gets toasted. Most people who use these are plugged into 110 AC and don't use the battery as an actuall power source - just as a way to filter the 12 volt current from the converter. You were told correctly to remove the converter. You would then want to put in a battery equalizer (vanner makes these)to allow you to draw 12 volts from your 24 volt battery bank evenly through all batteries. If your inverter has a charger on it as well as the converter, you are charging the batteries from 2 sources which is too much. If your inverter has the charger, it will keep your batteries charged up while you are plugged into shore power and your 12volt stuff will not drain your batteries.
I am not an expert, but I sure have read a lot and had these exact questions in mind. I just recieved my SW4024 in the mail today and I had to figure out whether or not I should also use a converter for my 12 volt stuff and found out not to. I am sure the experts will chime in here soon and correct me where I may be wrong. |
David (Davidinwilmnc)
Registered Member
Username: Davidinwilmnc
Post Number: 202
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 75.180.200.138
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 11:27 pm: | |
There are several nice converters / chargers that have multi-stage charging. One such brand is Intelli Power (here's one for an example... eBay #290179312602). According to the manual, it's 'clean' enough to not need a battery at all and can act as a converter (power supply) alone. I have a Vanner equalizer for my 12 volt needs and an 80 amp converter to charge. The Vanner eq. keeps both the batteries charged. A converter is a much cheaper way to get 12 volts, but if you have problems with your inverter, you won't even have 12 volts (unless you manually hook to a 12 battery). If money isn't a huge issue, personally, I'd use a 24 volt battery bank and an equalizer to handle 12 volt needs and use the inverter to charge the batteries.
David |
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member
Username: George_mc6
Post Number: 293
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 76.168.69.233
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 9:51 am: | |
Les,
My first thought is that you are probably taking all of your 12 Volt load off of one battery? That will cause the 24 Volt charging system to boil the other 12 Volt battery that is in series with the one being used for 12 Volt power.
Secondly, with that inverter, you don't need a converter.
Thirdly, an equalizer will provide your 12 Volt power from all of your batteries evenly.
My e is in the profile if you would like to send me your schematic.
HTH, George |
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