Forum Discussion

Alexandre's avatar
Alexandre
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016

Progressive Dynamics PD4000 operating DC without a battery?

Hi!

I'm currently trying to install a PD4000 power center/converter into a Tiny House, and I must say (like others) that the company doesn't provide a lot of infos...

The AC side is ok. I have a main 30Amp breaker, a 15Amp breaker for the converter and all the other branch breakers. Everything works fine.

Now, for the DC side.

I would like to know if I could operate the PD 4000 converter without the installation of a battery. Doing it this way, should the Battery negative connection on the DC side be grounded directly to the trailer frame, the same way the AC side is grounded?

Thank you for your support!
  • Alexandre's avatar
    Alexandre
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2016
    Ok great. Thx for the answer.

    And how should I connect the ground? From the neg battery connector on the DC side to the neg connector of the small battery to the trailer frame? Or, if there is no battery, straight to the frame?

    It might be completly wrong, but, could DC and AC share the same ground cable?
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Jul 19, 2016
    The current PD converters are designed to be usable without a battery. I believe the manual/literature mentions this somewhere. Depending on what or how much 12V stuff you're powering, it may be useful to put in at least a small battery for high instantaneous current demands like motors starting up. It wouldn't need to be a particularly big or fancy battery for this usage since you aren't going to be running in a disconnected state in general. (It would also be mighty handy if you're someplace where power failures are somewhat common.)
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 19, 2016
    My trailer has a ground bus where all the 12v negative side wires come together. There is a connection from this bus direct to the frame.

    Converter chassis should also be grounded.

    And yes PD operates fine with no battery.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Jul 19, 2016
    It will be fine with no battery. The 12 volt negative really should be bonded to the frame- you don't have to use the frame as a ground but it should be attached.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 19, 2016
    On the DC side.. Normal practice is to tie the negative to the frame/body. But it is not needed, you can float it if you wish..

    Can it operate w/o a battery.. Most likely yes.. I have not studied that line but most likely yes.. However if you find you get "Buzz" in 12 volt stuff you can add what is called a hardening capacitor from any high end auto audio store.

    These high capacity "Cans" It looks like a long tube or can with two screws in one end) act as battery simulators... I do not believe any current converter needs one though.. Just a couple of very old ones.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2016
    The ac neutral and ground are not to be tied together. Only the ground is tied to the frame.

    Personally I would install a battery. I think the converter is meant to charge the battery and not act as a power supply. A battery helps smooth things out.

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