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12 volt - 24 volt - 48 volt | 16 comments (16 topical, editorial)

Re: 12 volt - 24 volt - 48 volt (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by jacobs on Tue Sep 2nd, 2008 at 06:46:58 PM MST
(User Info)

One positive aspect of using high voltage dc is you usually only need one string of batteries eliminating the troublesome series parallel setup. The big advantage of this is if one cell shorts out, it doesn't drain your other batteries that are in parallel. I personally have used 120 to 144 volt dc systems for 28 years now and would never consider anything else. Circuit breakers aren't needed, use fuses. They are very inexpensive, readily available at any hardware store and easily replaced. Yes, I've been shocked by 170 volts dc but it isn't any worse that 120 volts ac.

Re: 12 volt - 24 volt - 48 volt (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by spinningmagnets (velmis1450bc(at)aol(dot)com) on Wed Sep 3rd, 2008 at 05:22:20 AM MST
(User Info)

jacobs, the system needs of 12,24,48 VDC have been well-documented here, but I am curious...How do you go about generating 144 or 170 volts? (diesel with a custom-wound generator, wind?)

What do you do with it? inverter-to-120 VAC?

[ Parent ]

Re: 12 volt - 24 volt - 48 volt (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by jacobs on Wed Sep 3rd, 2008 at 08:23:46 AM MST
(User Info)

With PV's, I use eleven 12 volt panels wired in series for 144vdc. With wind, I use an old 1940's pre REA Jacobs 120 volt DC wind generator. The old Jacobs is a very dependable generator.

On high voltage systems like mine, It's real easy to charge batteries with a fossil fuel generator. Just wire from the 240 vac outlet of your generator, rectify the ac through a bridge rectifier, and then directly to the batteries. Then REDUCE the rpm's of the generator around 50% by installing a spring between the governor and the generator frame to decrease the 240 volts as necessary.

The 170 volts I referred to is battery charging voltage.

Inverter is a 3000 watt, 10,000 watt surge, modified sine wave, transformerless, H bridge custom made by Chad Lampkin of Michigan Energy Works. I've been using it for 8 years now and it has been flawless. It only weighs about 3 or 4 pounds and draws 2 watts no load.

[ Parent ]

12 volt - 24 volt - 48 volt | 16 comments (16 topical, 0 editorial)

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