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Teach me about step voltage step downs..... Buck converters

9.6K views 21 replies 8 participants last post by  ricarhimel  
#1 ·
And if this is just too big a question to answer here, please direct me to a place that I can learn more.

So, while surfing around looking at 12 volt lithium batteries, I saw a bunch of lithium batteries that were like 36 volts, 50 something volts, and even more ! One of them put out 6 Kwts at 50+ volts, and was only like $400.... and NOT huge, or particularly heavy either. So, being the electrical dummy that I am, I was thinking, "Geez, 6 Kwts at 50+ volts, sounds ridiculous ! So, if that were stepped down to like 15.8 volts, wouldn't the wattage go way up ? ....to like 25 Kwts, or something ridiculous ? Because "IF" that is the case, their is thing called a "buck converter" that is both cheap, and easy to buy, or even to build DIY. (actually, even if the wattage stayed the same, 6 Kwts is double of what my current system pulls)

But here's the part that gets me the most fired up about the whole thing.... I have this peeve about voltage that fluctuates, and drops when a system is being beat on. That just bugs the living chit out of me ! IF we have determined that an amplifier setup will put out the most safe, efficient power at, lets just say 15.8 volts, then I want my system to put out 15.8 volts ALL THE FREAKING TIME ! Period. Whether I'm beating the chit out of it, on a hot day, not reving the motor, whatever.

So why couldn't a person run a 36 volt, or higher... maybe much higher system, then step it down to the "optimum voltage" required for the amp setup ? It seems to me that the 36 volt or higher battery, might fluctuate and sag somewhat, under a heavy load... but that it would still always be able to be stepped down to exactly 15.8 volts. (until that higher voltage battery dropped below its safe point.... but it should give you a TON of power before it gets to that)

Tell me why this wont work, or why nobody is doing it (that I know of).

PS, BTW, I have a 350 volt battery in my Prius, which is stepped all the way down to 14.5 volts with a converter, and then to a "dinky" little factory 12 volt battery (with no alternator in the car). Now granted, my little 5 ch Kicker amp only puts out about 900 wts. But I've heard these little Prius' can handle a setup of 2000-3000 wts. Not huge... but the point is, it does this with ZERO voltage sag, flickering lights, or anything like that.... WITH THE CAR MOTOR NOT EVEN RUNNING ! The voltage to the amplifier is ROCK freaking solid, because its being converted from a 350 volt source !
This ^ is what I'm talking about, but with a stronger setup, built for the purposes of a high powered stereo. Can this be done ???
 
#2 ·
Yeah but, most buck converters can supply between 3 and 10 amps.


You're talking about a different animal.. at the current levels you'll need... it would not really be a buck converter, but a controller with many banks of high voltage and current mosfets. No small project. ;)
 
#3 ·
Yeah but, most buck converters can supply between 3 and 10 amps.


You're talking about a different animal.. at the current levels you'll need... it would not really be a buck converter, but a controller with many banks of high voltage and current mosfets. No small project. ;)
What do they do in my car (and every hybrid) to go from 350 volts, to 14.5 ? (or should I say, to supply a 12 volt system ?) Is this a super fancy, technical, expensive setup ? I could see that maybe in a Tesla... but a Prius ?
 
#8 ·
EV West Talk to them. I don't think Allen works their anymore, or he retired, but still one of the best places to go for advice on what you need to buy if you want a one stop shop. Buy, install, done. All the parts and modules you need to make it work. You still are going to need a Charger, and he can help you or sell you that as well.


DiY here


What the "Aftermearket" looks and costs.
266647




Look up Elcon. THey are here from Oregon too.
266648




THe Data sheet tells you all you need to run this unit.



EV west for a used OEM unit.


Now about that "Did no one think of it".... :)


266649

Yes.. THey did..
266650


Thread about it on DIYMA


And the OG HERE:
266651




more in a bit
 
#10 ·
oh if you want to go ahead and make a low-budget very unsafe no safety protection whatsoever well the way I designed it anyway, look up bad boy charger.

you can say open in oil and use a cooler or just use a 5 gallon bucket and then just run like a PC cooling radiator or whatever the hell you want to do...., that 50 amp you got it can do I can do about a hundred as long as you keep it really cool for about maybe 20 minutes???? :)


someone else made a copy of that but anyway go take a look at his I think his is safer.

 
#14 · (Edited)
Heads up, those accuvolt units mentioned above are power supplies that step up voltage from 12v to 14-16v.

The Harrison Labs Flux Cap is a more up to date version of the product. And closer to what the OP is looking for in regards to steady regulated power all the time. The cost is that your overall amperage diminishes depending on the power supply efficiency. The Harrison Labs Flux Cap specs at 95%+ efficiency.

OP just call in and they can make one that outputs power specifically at the 15.8v you desire.
 
#16 ·
Imickey and Bnicmbcar, thanks very much. What I have learned from this thread is that 1) it seems quite possible. 2) Im a complete dumb@ss when it comes to electrical tech !
I think I would definitely want something built for me. Bnicmbar, a little amperage drop would not be a problem, as long as I had plenty more amps than I needed to begin with.

I am going to look at those Flux Caps now.
 
#17 ·
Check them out. They are often overlooked. Some people out in CA SQ meets are using them to power/charge their secondary 14v battery/batteries. But you can simply use them to power your gear directly (I confirmed with Harrison Labs).

I’m using a 200amp model with my stock alternator only capable of ~135amps. I’m not using a secondary battery. The Flux Cap is powering all my aftermarket audio gear directly via a power distribution block (4 Class D amps, DSP, and various items).

My stock Honda electrical runs at 12.7v normally and 14v only when the lights are turned on (something with the Honda ELD circuit). But since using the Flux Cap, my connected gear sees a maintained voltage of 14.3-14.7v at all times despite what my stock electrical is doing.
 
#18 ·



Website..


For the PRICE? Made in the USA? Plug and PLAY? STEAL!!!!
267096



From the website.

267097


COMPETITION POWER SUPPLIES
Mobile Audio Amplifier power boosting
Dragster performance enhancer
Mobile Ham Radio Application Click Here
Image

Amp Draw = V out / V in x 1.05 x load amps
Image
Image

Brian Timmers’ system uses 3 custom 200 amp FluxCaps.
FluxCaps tm are similar to the Jacobs Accuvolt tm but are more robust, efficient, and are dual phase requiring less filtering. For very high power, use a small FluxCap between the alternator and an audio battery bank. This way a 50 amp alternator can charge a 1000 amp battery bank. (limited duty cycle)
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 3” Wide, 5.5 High, 8.5 Long
Weight: 3.5 Pounds
Current limiting, Voltage Regulated
Efficiency: 98.4% @ 14.5V
(11.5V input) ±1%
Amp Draw: Depends on I/O voltage
Input Voltage: 11 V minimum
Output Voltage: 14.7 V standard Custom for Ham
(Other voltages available upon request)
MAY BE STACKED FOR MORE AMPERES
Image

On May 3, 2015 at 12:47 AM William Baer <greatbaer@xxxxxxx> wrote:
I have two testing and one race days using your flux capacitor to power my dragster's ignition while eliminating the alternator. So far it's 3.9 MPH ( 173.9 vs 170) faster and I have had no problems with starting or running.
Thanks for a great product.
Bill Baer


Ham radio guys seem to use these as well.

267098


Online review here.



 
#22 · (Edited)
Well, basically a buck converter is a DC-DC converter that efficiently converts a high voltage to a low voltage efficiently. The efficient power conversion actually extends battery life, reduces heat, and allows for smaller gadgets to be built. Well, that is some basic info, but I am not really sure that it is applicable for the lithium batteries. Moreover, bnae38 has got the right point, a stock converter cannot supply more than 10 amps and less than 3. If you actually try to get more than 10 amps out of a stock converter, you might actually cause a power outage, that is what happened to me. I had to call for some electricians to fix this mess, and that was the time when I decided to change my energy supply tariff, to a dual-fuel tariff as it is way cheaper, and you are not exposed to this kind of power outages. If you also want cheaper energy you can read the article about the dual fuel on Simply Switch, that article actually convinced me to do it.