DC-DC Converters [RE-wrenches]

[John Raynes]

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At 04:50 AM 5/19/02 +0000, you wrote:
>John, et al,
>
>I tried putting together a DC-DC converter from components and not being
>an electronics engineer, apparently did not get it all together
>correctly (even with some assistance from the mfg.). We had some sort of
>noise interference with a Digital Solar controller so that it would not
>function properly; solution, put in a fully engineered instrument (in
>this case a Wilmore). I also tried in a different circumstance, using a
>Solar Converters DC-DC unit (48->12) and found (actually our customer
>found, after frying $18000 worth of radio equip) that when first
>supplied with power it lets through full voltage for a few milliseconds
>(20 ms if memory serves). This would probably not be a problem for more
>robust loads. Or, you might be able to get around it if you put a switch
>after the DC-DC and turned it on after firing up the DC-DC, but our
>customer's solution was to specify a fully engineered instrument. Until
>I become an electronics wiz, I'm going to stick with fully engineered
>instruments for DC-DC converters. Would you like some surplus DC-DC
>converter modules?
>


Not if they work the way that you describe :-)

Your problem sounds like a very poorly designed converter.  I wonder if 
even was listed.  The fact is, most typical DC-DC loads are not "more 
robust" that yours, that's why the DC-DC is used in the first 
place.  Converters that behave the way that you describe won't survive in 
the instrument OEM market.

I agree in sticking with something that works.  Hardly a week goes by on 
this board without someone discussing compatibility issues between AC 
inverters and some type of appliance load.  DC-DC's inherently present the 
same risk so know before you go.  That much said, I still maintain there's 
some cost savings to be explored here with other fully engineered converter 
modules.

Actually I might be interested in one of your surplus modules, not to use 
it, but to try to find out if it's someone else's product, with the Solar 
Converters name just being a private-label.  It would be good to know if 
there's a particular OEM behind this that we need to avoid.  Contact me on 
or off list if you want to discuss this further.  Thanks for the input.

Regards,
John Raynes


John Raynes
Principal Engineer
Raynes Engineering, Inc./RE Solar
Sandy, UT

Phone:  801-569-2400
email:          john at raynes.com
Web site:       www.raynes.com

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