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12 volt buck/boost unit

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
For an appliance that requires four amps at 12 volts, what do I need to have it work with the 12VDC system.

The catch is that the appliance needs 12 volts. Not 12.whatever, 13.x, or 11.x depending on the SoC of the battery... but true 12.0 volt power. What is the best way to ensure an appliance gets this? Of course, I can wire in a 300 watt Morning Star SureSine inverter, then have the appliance's wall wart plug into that, which guarentees me the correct voltage... but I would be losing a good chunk of electricity via heat this way, so want to find a way to ensure 12 volts, no more, no less, is coming out.
30 REPLIES 30

SCVJeff
Explorer
Explorer
Well ya got us on that one, but I wouldn't be messing with my media server either.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks. Looks like a Morningstar inverter and a dedicated 300 watt outlet is the way to go. It would have been nice to just go with 12 volts, but as stated, getting power from the power brick does keep the warranty hounds happy.

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
I like the Drok devices I have two in use, in this RV

Just not the way I would go for dealing with this type of electronic device

I prefer the power wasting supplies that comes with my electronic devices
Never any warranty questions
And going from battery to inverter to the power brick is redundant protection
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
mlts22 wrote:
Apologies. I've not been much on the forums in a bit, due to work stuff. The device is a Synology DS216+ NAS, which uses 12 volts to power it. Too little or too much, it gets unhappy.
I would use a sine wave inverter to power the brick if the thing is that fussy.
It is only 60 watts. Maybe 70 watts max with conversion losses.
Put another solar panel on the roof or add an extra battery.

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Depends on the brick Mr. Wz.

Even a medical grade brick tracks voltage somewhat. The boost DROK is flawless. months 24/7 operation, it's output has risen .004vdc Fabulous

The bucker I use is a Drok and it too is incredibly stable. Far more so than the medical respironics bricks I have kept track of. The only liability is in the packaging - exposed and unsightly.

The very best inverter driving current is of much higher value than what the Drok to Drok conversion would be. 10% loss at 3.0 amps is wildly better than a three amp draw on the batteries with no load placed on the inverter.

But then of course, there exists the issue of warranty of the device in question...

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
its a network server, capable of sending 4k UHD video directly to the monitor
its a $600 Media center/server/cloud/NAS and it comes with two Empty bays, install your own hard drives

I would stick with the supplied DC power brick/wart/supply
plug it into a PSW inverter along with the TV/PC
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
TO BOOST TO 15.5 VOLTS


AMAZON
DROK® 600W 12A DC Boost Voltage Converter 12-60V to 12-80V Step-up Power Supply Transformer Module Regulator Controller Constant Volt/Amp Car Regulated Laptop Battery Charger LED Driver Generator
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$21.49$28.52Prime
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Product Description
... Current: 15mA (when 12V step up to 20V)

I like this unit because it has CONSTANT CURRENT PRECISE LIMIT ADJUSTABLE


THEN TO BUCK DOWN TO 12.00 Volts


DROK® DC-DC Adjustable Buck Voltage Converter Stabilizer Step Down Voltage Reducer Regulator Power Module 3A 5-23V to 0-16.5V Dual Volt Amp LCD Display
by DROK
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Very stable output with it's own voltage and amperage meters

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Get ahold of the distributor and find out the specs of the

AC ADAPTER X1

Ask the retail cost of said unit. If it's more than $50.00 then iI will be impressed.

This is what you are trying to bridge. Direct DC into the unit?

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
Apologies. I've not been much on the forums in a bit, due to work stuff. The device is a Synology DS216+ NAS, which uses 12 volts to power it. Too little or too much, it gets unhappy.

SCVJeff
Explorer
Explorer
We're known as the (Gladis) Kravetz Crew
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
Probably thinks we are too nosey, asking what and why !!

he has been here long enough to expect that,
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
I think he forgot about this post
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Chris Bryant wrote:
{subject change}

subcamper wrote:

DC-DC Converter 10-18VDC in 12VDC out


That's a great site- particularly http://www.powerstream.com/powerhumor.htm

🙂
{/subject change}


I had a -VERY- hard time pulling myself off the floor and regaining my seat after the very first joke...

Intern: How I get to the marketing department?
Engineer: Easy, go west until you can smell it and then turn north until you step in it.

SCVJeff
Explorer
Explorer
Sam Spade wrote:
MrWizard wrote:

And either one will run directly off the RV 12v systems , no power conversion needed, no damage done


And here's about the 4th person asking what this device IS.....because I think you are mis-interpreting something and causing yourself undue worry and expense.

I've been in Electronics for about 50 years now and have yet to see ANY device that requires an exact input voltage to work right.
And this makes you #5 🙂
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350