12V DC to 24V DC converter - what would this be used for?

[BruceMc]

Found what I thought was a brand new inverter in the second hand store the other day, still shiny new in the box. Looking it over, it had no 110VAC connector, only screw type wire connectors on both ends, where the input side would take up to 6 gauge wire. Interesting...

Reading the info on the label I find that it was a 12V DC to 24V DC converter, though I didn't pay much attention to the wattage. It was housed in an extruded aluminum box similar to my 300W PSW inverter, tho this was bright green.

Purely out of curiosity, does anyone know what this would be used for?

BTW, it's still at the store... I sure didn't have a need for it.

[Chris_Bryant]

Most bus chassis (Prevost, MCI et. al.) are 24 volts, though the more common need is for 24 - 12 converters. Most of the stuff I see is built by Vanner.

[mlts22]

A lot of military vehicles use 24 volt systems.

[mikebo]

Many mobility scooters are 24volt. Would be great for charging their batteries.

[BruceMc]

There had to be an application for this, but I had no idea what. Not being exposed to the electricals of aviation, I was unaware the main DC voltage is 24V.

Interesting applications - anything else?

[mena661]

Good stuff! Learned something, thanks.

[1995brave]

Some of the electric scooters and golf carts run on 24volts. Could be used to charge up their batteries from a 12 volt supply(car, RV, etc).

[Harvard]

24VDC is common in Industrial Instrumentation so when you have a remote site that requires 24VDC it is common to have a bank of 12VDC batteries with Solar Panels etc.

[2oldman]

It could possibly be used to charge my 24v system from a 12v charger.

[YC_1]

We use a lot of 24 to 12 converters in crop dusters for two way radios. Many aircraft radios are 24 volts so you might want to install one in a ground vehicle to communicate with the aircraft.

[mena661]

Converting 12V to 24V? Not sure what you're asking here.

[tanman32225]

Aircraft possibly.