DC/DC Converter

[freya39]

My nav station has way to many devices that use AC. I have decided to CUT the plugs and run them off DC, which is what they like.

1. Fanless Reliant Marine Computer for Nobeltec.
2. Display unit.
3. Cell Phone
4. VHF
5. Uniden two-way radios.

I have ordered a ICA-2000A-12 DC/DC Converter that has an input voltage from 9 - 18 VDC and output of 12.5 VDC. I will wire this into one of my empty DC breakers. I will also install a Rigrunner4005 that has 5 plug-ins for anything requiring 12 VDC.

Question: Has anyone every installed a DC/DC converter. Would enjoy some comments or advice on this installation before it arrives.

Hugh

[Zanshin]

Although I haven't installed one, I have looked into them and was pretty surprised at their relative inefficiency, with 90% being at the high end. I also haven't found any that are in the higher wattage end that are isolated. I googled the "ICA-2000A-12" with no luck. How many watts load does it support? I have looked into smaller one to drive LED lights but gave up on the idea of doing it myself. Also, do all of those devices need regulated 12VDC power supplies or are they more tolerant (I would assume the computer and VHF can run straight off the batteries and would accept a wider range, i.e. from 10V through 16V)?

[freya39]

I typed it wrong. It is the IDC-200A-12 and its isolated. This is a 200W and they have 100W also.
They might accept a wider range of voltages but thought I would go this way to provide a regulated source plus the rigrunner 4005 has a fuse of each device to regulate over current.
Inefficiency....where did you find this. Would like to read reviews on this.

[Zanshin]

There are various sources for that information, but I used DC-DC Converters | V-Infinity, a Division of CUI Inc. to get an overview of the different systems and I think the best 12VDC I found was 91% which sounds about right. But if each of these "regulators" takes 10% loss and your devices already have builtin regulators you will be paying a significant surcharge - this is one of the reasons I dropped the idea, since one of my goals was to save energy.

BTW - on Samlex's website they state that this regulator is 85% efficient, see http://www.samlexamerica.com/custome...al_Jul2008.pdf

[freya39]

Thanks for the link for the review. Didn't know they were that inefficient.
I guess I could opt to just cut the cords and run them straight to the DC power panel circuit breaker.
I just got tired of turning on the Heart Interface Inverter at anchor and using up all those amps to use the computer.
Thanks I was looking for this type of discussion.

[wind_magic]

I wire all my 12v stuff straight to the panel, it did not even occur to me to consider a DC to DC converter. Charging goes up to about 14.2, but all of the electronics I have is probably made to survive that, I would be amazed if that was out of tolerance.