3.2 lipo battery cell, transformer 3 to 12 volts

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by markstrimaran, Oct 8, 2017.

  1. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Will a 12 to 48 volt transformer also work from 3 to 12 volts.

    I would rather run a series of 4 lithium batteries for 12 volts. 100Ah.

    The 12 volt power, is needed for low amperage, electronics, and LED lighting.
    Thanks
     
  2. upchurchmr
    Joined: Feb 2011
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    No.
    DC vs AC electricity.
     
  3. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Transformers are like gears, they change a ratio. However, you first need to convert the DC of the battery into AC before you can convert it with a transformer.
     
  4. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Screenshot_20171008-123427.png I might be confusing converter, transformer. These claim dc to dc.
    It would be great if they could step up a 3.2 volt lipo into 12 fishfinder.
     
  5. markstrimaran
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Screenshot_20171008-124507.png
    Better picture
     
  6. BertKu
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    BertKu Senior Member

    Do I understood you correctly. You have a 12 to 48 Volt AC heavy duty transformer and like to run it on 3 to 12 Volt. The answer is yes, you can. However where do you get the 3 Volt AC from? Don't you have misleading information and have a DC to DC 12 to 48 Volt converter? That most likely will not work as they normally need a minimum Voltage to work from. We need more information for the 12 to 48 transformer. Or is it a 12 to 48 Volt booster? Please show us a photo what you have and more information like VA or watts and what current is needed for your Lithium batteries. 100 Ah means at 12 Volt, 1,2 Kw (1200 watt) for 1 hour. That is definitely is not low amperage electronics and lighting. Help us out with more details.
    Bert
     
  7. BertKu
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    BertKu Senior Member

    Ok, I overlooked this sentence. Some DC to DC converters can work from 3 Volt onwards. I am using a 12 Volt DC to 12 Volt DC converter at 3.2 Volt, but get 3.2 Volt out . Maybe a 12 to 48 converter is able to start at 3.2 Volt and give 12 Volt DC. The problem is that the current rating is drastically reduced most likely.
    We need maximum current consumption at 12 Volt, like what do you want to connect to the 12 Volt. How many LED's and what kind, what is your current consumption for your fish finder. etc. Then you may have to take a chance and hope that the 12 Volt DC to 48 Volt DC converter will start at 3.2 Volt. ( 1 to 4 ratio) Otherwise you need to buy 2 x Lithium batteries in serial and use a 12 to 24 Volt DC to DC converter, in the hoop it starts at 6 Volt already, which is most likely the case. But you need to calculate your ampere (current) usage at 12 Volt. Please lets us know. Bert
     
  8. BertKu
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    BertKu Senior Member

    [​IMG]
    This one can handle minimum of 20 Ampere on the primary side. This at 6 Volt also maximum 20 Ampere and secundair not 240 Watt, but only 120 watt. Your problem is, are you willing to take a chance in the hope that it converts already at 6 Volt. Most likely it will, but I cannot guarantee this to you. Bert
     
  9. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Screenshot_20171008-160443.png
    Eventually, I want a full bank of lithium, mostly because they are very thin, light weight, and I can pack them in my forward hatch.
    I will only need 12 volts at 20 amps for a electric trolling motor, someday. 20' sailing trimaran, get back to dock on a calm day, heading strait into the wind. 1984 8hp johnson might fail someday.
    I have been looking into used automotive lipo cells, as a economical way, auto salvaged.
    The packs are 3.2 volts. Of various amp/hrs.
    Other than the trolling motor.
    I use a lead acid battery, for cell phones, navigation lights, fish finder. For up to a week with only a 10 watt solar to charge.
    If I can pull 12 volts from a 3.2 volt lipo 25 amp/hr. At a 500 milliamps 12 volts. I can justify spending $200.00 to build the 100amp/hr pack.
    I had three lead batteries fail this year, so I would like to invest in some lithium, instead of lead.
    My amp load is, 12 watt nav lights.
    12 watt fish finder.
    12 watt cell phone charger, aka GPS, WEATHER,.
    12 watt live well air pump.
    48 watts at 12 volts, 4 amps.
    4 amps at 50 hr voyage
    200 amp/hr. Less what the solar puts back in.
    With one 3.2 volt pack, I would have 25 amp/hrs.
     
  10. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Screenshot_20171008-165528.png

    I am thinking about trying these. They should do the 3.2 volts in, out at 13.7 volt and have 2 amps . I could have 4 legs, 4 chip boards, with 8 amps total available.
    Thinking positive.
     
  11. markstrimaran
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Screenshot_20171008-170643.png

    The item is described as dc to dc.
     
  12. Jim Caldwell
    Joined: Aug 2013
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    Jim Caldwell Senior Member

    That 3.2 volts is a LIFE CELL not a pack. 4 life CELLS wired in series equals 12.8 volts with the amp hr rating of 1 cell.
     
  13. BertKu
    Joined: May 2009
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    BertKu Senior Member

    Hi Jim, I think Mark just want to save money by only using 1 cell and with an inexpensive 3.2 Volt DC in to 12.7 Volt out DC converter, he will save money by saving 3 Lithium cells. Can be successful done, provided it is the correct DC to DC converter. Bert
     
  14. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    What the heck is a "life cell".
    Google only showed me "increased life cell phone" and a brand name of a skin creme.
     

  15. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    markstrimaran Senior Member

    Sorry my auto correct, Lipo
    Lithium ion polymer.
    Each cell is 3.2 volts
    4 cell in series makes for a 12.8 volt 100 Amp/hr .
     
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