Converter

[chris piazza]

I have a newmar 32-12-25 in the engine room that powers all the 12v electronics on the bridge. I think this is the typical setup on most of our hats. The problem is the long run from the engine room to the bridge causes a slight drop in voltage and I think that as the newmar is getting older the amp output has slightly dropped. With everything running voltage drops to low 11v. Here's the question, I was thinking about installing a 110-12v converter on the bridge. I always have either the inverter or generator running so power is not a problem I have researched some of the good converters and they can be had for under $200. Sounds to simple, am I missing something?

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

 

[Scottbee]

It's not the most power efficient setup in the world (Battery->Invertor->Convertor) but it certainly works. And as you noted, you should be able to get a high quality unit for under $200. For an interior application the Progressive Dynamic units are quite popular and I have some good personal experience with them.

 

[sandspur1966]

I would call Newmar and speak to their tech support. Is it possible that you are pulling too much amperage off of it under load?

I added a second 35A one on mine and have a third, dedicated 50A converter running my heating system. I once slipped while tightening a terminal screw and crossed the terminals with the screwdriver and fried something inside. Tech support was terrific, I shipped it to them and they had it back in days. They may be able to talk you through what you need.

Another option is run the 32V up to the bridge and put a converter there. The converters are not sensitive to input voltage and then the run from the converter to the end use would be short.

 

[davidwigler]

I have replaced all the converters (there were 7 on the vessel) with a 4d agm battery and added a 12 volt panel and battery state of charge monitor. Now I can turn off all the 12 volt circuits with one main breaker. The battery is charged by a modern 3-stage charger and the system works great. I don't like the converters because they were always on draining the house bank while on the hook. Also I had two blowing fuses that needed repair anyway.

 

[sandspur1966]

Hey david, where did you install the battery?

Ive kicked this idea around but cant decide where.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I upgraded to a larger 35amp Newmar converter that I found on ebay.

IMO, you should stick with the 32v/12v converter and not go with a 120v/12v unit. The Newmar stuff is marine rated and they rarely fail.

 

[chris piazza]

It works fine now until I key a mic on one of the VHF radios, voltage drops and a couple of low voltage alarms goes off (digital sounder and chart plotter ). I rarely use the radar, which is a large amp draw. I would keep most of the electronics on the 32v converter and just switching the radar and one VHF to the 110/12v converter. I did consider running a larger gage wire from newmar up to the bridge to help with the voltage drop but the way it snakes around it would be 30-35' up to the bridge and a pain to do. I guess I'm getting old and lazy and thought the 110 converter would be a heck of a lot easier.

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

 

[Boatnut]

It works fine now until I key a mic on one of the VHF radios, voltage drops and a couple of low voltage alarms goes off (digital sounder and chart plotter ). I rarely use the radar, which is a large amp draw. I would keep most of the electronics on the 32v converter and just switching the radar and one VHF to the 110/12v converter. I did consider running a larger gage wire from newmar up to the bridge to help with the voltage drop but the way it snakes around it would be 30-35' up to the bridge and a pain to do. I guess I'm getting old and lazy and thought the 110 converter would be a heck of a lot easier.

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

It sounds like you answered your own question, you may be overloading your power source. Transsmitting requires a lot more power than receiving. If you haven't added anything to the system to overload it, and the problem just started you may want to check connections expecially the radio. Bad connections will increase power consumption. If you want to use a 120vac source for your dc power, you don't need a converter, just get a good quality power supply, and install it in a dry area.

I would not put the VHF on such a system, better to power it off ships power.

 

[Boatnut]

It works fine now until I key a mic on one of the VHF radios, voltage drops and a couple of low voltage alarms goes off (digital sounder and chart plotter ). I rarely use the radar, which is a large amp draw. I would keep most of the electronics on the 32v converter and just switching the radar and one VHF to the 110/12v converter. I did consider running a larger gage wire from newmar up to the bridge to help with the voltage drop but the way it snakes around it would be 30-35' up to the bridge and a pain to do. I guess I'm getting old and lazy and thought the 110 converter would be a heck of a lot easier.

Chris
Superior Nights 53C

It sounds like you answered your own question, you may be overloading your power source. Transsmitting requires a lot more power than receiving. If you haven't added anything to the system to overload it, and the problem just started you may want to check connections expecially the radio. Bad connections will increase power consumption. If you want to use a 120vac source for your dc power, you don't need a converter, just get a good quality power supply, and install it in a dry area.

I would not put the VHF on such a system, better to power it off ships dc power.

 

[davidwigler]

The 12 volt battery is in the generator room next to the 32 volt starboard bank. A battery cable feeds my new 12 volt panel in the pilot house from which separate circuits supply the radar, VHF and Chartplotter on the bridge. The voltage drop is negligible even with everything running.

 

[Angela]

How about putting a dedicated 12v battery and charger under the flybridge helm? That's what someone before me did for my boat. I have 110v power on my flybridge, making the charger install a no-brainer, but I don't know if that 110v power feed was original. Nevertheless, it takes out the need for a converter up there and my 12v wire runs are relatively short.

I use a maintenance free battery up there because I never remember to check that one until something won't power up and I find the battery to be dead. I get about 4 years out of it, though.

I always liked the idea of having a separate 12v system up there with the dedicated battery up high as it give us one last dry place where radio equipment would still be working for a Mayday call if we're sinking and didn't roll over in the process.

 

[chris piazza]

I actually had that setup before (12v battery w/trickle charger) on the bridge. I don't recall the size of the battery but it was lucky to last 90min running a 4k radar. I imagine I could have just installed a larger charger to keep up with the draw but I figured eliminate the battery and just go with the converter?

 

[egaito]

My example is semi-relevant since Misty is 12v.

When Misty was refit, the PO put a battery and charger under the FB helm, as well as a battery switch that draws off the "local" batter, house or one of the engine banks.

In this case, the helm battery was the "last resort" for electronics and communications if something went horribly wrong. I liked that idea as the FB is the last thing to get wet.

My initial impressions on the converters (Sanctuary, 32v) was that they represented a point of failure, with no storage capability for backup...when they fail, everything is just offline. My concern has been tempered over the years by the reliability of them. We've had one go bad and burn up some gauges under the pilothouse helm, but it was factory and nearly 30 years old when it gave up.