48 to 12 volt conversion [RE-wrenches]

[Cvsolar2 at aol.com]

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Is your computer freezing up or slowing down?
Repair corrupt files and harmful errors - protect your PC
Take a 2-minute PC health check-up at no charge!
http://click.topica.com/caaeatrbz8Qcsbz9JC9a/PC PowerScan
-------------------------------------------------------------------


hi everybody;
       dan brown here. seems we have a customer who just can't seem to give 
up her old 12 volt system. she's had it forever, and now has a huge investment 
in it, and although she's evolved through several system up grades,  she can't 
seem to bring herself to give up her "12 volt back up lites". ( she still has 
gas lites too). 
       we just up graded her system from  24 volt to a 48 volt dual outback 
system to connect with a 10k bergey. her old 12 volt system has a vanner 24 to 
12 volt converter paralleled  with 4 L16s that are about 13 years old. when i 
took the old 24 volt system down, the 12 volt system promptly crashed. i 
suspect the old L16s (buried in their own little cubby -way under the stairs). have 
never seen much of a cycling. the care taker tells me he checks the fluid 
level  monthly - but that they never use water.  i have a 12v -10A charger on 
them now, and it seems to be  doing the job, but i don't see it as a permanent 
solution.        
        we've run down a bunch of possibilities, but john suggests i throw it 
out to you folks. here's what we have so far. 
       I got a clamp meter on her 12 volt system last night. We figured she's 
pulling somewhere around 60 to 70 amps at 12 volt full use. which she says 
she never does. 
       She runs a lot of 12v halogen. I'd like to see her up grade from 
halogen to LEDs, but i suspect the logistics alone would scare the pope, so I'm 
kinda counting that one out. maybe a longer term solution
so;
option #1)  replace the spent L 16 batteries with gel cells, and up grade to 
a real charger. $$
option #2) replace the converter . ( with a 48v to 12v ). $$
option #3) install a stand alone transformer 1k x-former (120v to 12v). $ 
       any advice? am i  missing something?  thanks. dan

dan brown
central vermont solar and wind
rutland vermont
(802)-747-0577

--
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Oprah vs Dr. Phil- who is your favorite? Vote now.
http://click.topica.com/caaeatsbz8Qcsbz9JC9f/Your opinion
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------