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DC converters


By Joseph Turrisi, Section Homebrewed Electricity
Posted on Fri Oct 10, 2003 at 05:19:27 PM MST
Does anyone know how to convert high voltage dc to low voltage dc

I need help in converting 120 volts DC to 12 volts DC with a couple of amps of power. Anyone have any ideas how to do this
DC converters | 6 comments (6 topical)

Re: DC converters (none / 0) (#1)
by scott h on Fri Oct 10, 2003 at 09:18:41 PM MST

the way to do this is with a dc to dc converter.look on ebay thay usullay have odd size coverters like that. good luck
scott h


Re: DC converters (none / 0) (#2)
by drdongle on Sat Oct 11, 2003 at 07:16:24 AM MST

DC to DC converters are readaly available new and used, and there are numerous sited that have info on DIY check out www.maxim-ic.com , www.irf.com ,www.artesyn.com
 do a google search for "DC to DC converter".

Dr.D
Carpe Vigor, Dr.D



Re: DC converters (none / 0) (#3)
by Homebrewed12vdc on Sat Oct 11, 2003 at 08:26:42 AM MST

Try radio shack they have them.


Re: DC converters (none / 0) (#4)
by wooferhound on Sat Oct 11, 2003 at 12:00:04 PM MST

Where are you getting 120 volts DC from ?
if you rectify the voltage from your wall outlet with a filter capaciter across it, you will get voltage closer to 170 volts DC

. >=- W o o f -=<


Re: DC converters (none / 0) (#5)
by Joseph Turrisi on Sat Oct 11, 2003 at 04:02:26 PM MST

The 120 volt DC comes from my welder for running AC/DC power tools. I converted it to electric start and need some way to charge the battery. I would add an altenator but that would be another pulley on the crank shaft a add more load to the engine. since it all ready prouduces DC it would be nice to step it down for battery charging and forget the price of an alt., pulley, and home made brackets.

[ Parent ]


Re: DC converters (none / 0) (#6)
by drdongle on Sun Oct 12, 2003 at 08:19:07 AM MST

I was looking over a used "Power One" brand switching converter that I have and it occurred to me that as the AC input is rectified, filtered and then is converted to a high frequency AC voltage to drive a small ferrite transformer, one could feed it DC directly, the rectifiers are superfluous in this case, but as long as the unit receives enough voltage to make it happy it will still work. Many of these units are available for 85 to 120 volts AC. 85 volt ac in reality peaks at about 145 volts, I have no idea how tolerant these units are, so there is the possability that it might not start up and run. Experimentation is obviously in order.

Dr.D
Carpe Vigor, Dr.D
[ Parent ]



DC converters | 6 comments (6 topical)
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