Questions concerning DC to DC converters

[RitchCraft]

Could someone please explain the benefit(s) of installing a DC to DC converter instead of taking 12VDC straight from the batteries (unless of course you have 8VDC batteries)?

Here is my thinking on these, please let me know if any (or all) of this is stinkin' thinkin':

- Adding a converter just adds another source of power drain on the batteries.
- All converters I have seen have pretty large heat sinks. Heat dissipation means lost power. I've read on the forums keep everything cool for maximum power.
- Why add another piece of equipment when tapping 12VDC off two batteries seems so logical?

I realize that with 8VDC batteries these are a must, but why do I see so many cart owners with 6VDC batteries installing these converters? Is there an added benefit I am not seeing?

-Terry

[sportcoupe]

Tapping off 2 batteries imbalances the pack voltage and shortens the life of the two batteries you tapped off of. A reducer pulls from the entire pack equally, maintaining pack balance.

I prefer a separate 12v accessory battery vs. a reducer.

[RitchCraft]

Originally Posted by sportcoupe

Tapping off 2 batteries imbalances the pack voltage and shortens the life of the two batteries you tapped off of. A reducer pulls from the entire pack equally, maintaining pack balance.

I prefer a separate 12v accessory battery vs. a reducer.

Ok, I actually thought about that issue as well. What if one was to tie three 12VDC sources from the six batteries in parallel? That should yield an even drain across all batteries, right?

[yurtle]

If you draw a diagram, you'll see that your idea won't work without disconnecting several series interconnecting cables.

[RitchCraft]

A configuration like this would not work?

Edit: you're right, as you said, the series wiring gets eliminated in the process.

[sportcoupe]

You can only series or parallel a golf cart battery pack. If you try make sure to video it so you can get on TruTV.

[RitchCraft]

LOL, not a TV star and don't want to be one.

[sportcoupe]

Actually you could in fact parallel off the packs similar to your diagram. You would HAVE TO diode isolate each parallel 12v tap with appropriate size diodes installed correctly. If it was simple everyone would be doing it instead of using dc-dc converters, ax 12v accessory batteries and such.

[RitchCraft]

Yep, with diodes this could be done quite easily actually. This would eliminate the need for DC converters in 36V systems completely. 48V systems could use a 12V voltage regulator then to bring the 16V down to 12V.

I have a bunch of 9V batteries laying around. I think I'll tinker with simulating this using the 9V batteries.

[yurtle]

I posted a sketch on this a couple of years back. You could do an Advanced Search for it.