12v step down module? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Raskal311 · 08-13-2013, 02:20 PM

I’m looking to install two 12v batteries in a battery box to run my FF and bait tank. To run the bait tank I’d like to install a 12v Step down module to run the bait tank at 7.5v/3a. My question is would running a step down draw less juice giving me longer battery life similar to running a 6v battery direct?
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http://www.amazon.com/Converter-Step-Power-Supply-Module/dp/B00CXKCOPY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1376406444&sr=8-7&keywords=12v+step+down

BTW I have a hobie live well which is 12v 3amp.

Baja_Traveler · 08-13-2013, 02:34 PM

No.

Unless you go very high dollar, step down transformers use resistors to drop the voltage, wasting the excess energy as heat.

alanw · 08-13-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

No.

Unless you go very high dollar, step down transformers use resistors to drop the voltage, wasting the excess energy as heat.

Actually step-up/down transformers don't generally use resistors, they just use coils and an iron core. Using resistors to achieve a voltage drop is a simple circuit that does indeed burn off excess energy as heat.

alanw · 08-13-2013, 02:44 PM

Be careful with these. If it is an electronic circuit then even if it is waterproof it may have condensation issues like my oex bait timer did, which caused it to fail after only a few outtings.

Personally I avoid adding anything extra between my batteries and electronics because it's just adding another potential failure point.

To answer your question, on the item you linked I would expect it to draw 3A constantly from your battery. But, if I were to buy one of these I'd surely check it's actual current draw during use, and be prepared to return it.

Raskal311 · 08-13-2013, 02:48 PM

Wow I'm glad I asked. Thanks fellas

bus kid · 08-13-2013, 03:48 PM

http://www.mofoco.com/item/Empi_9384...Bug_/513/p2c62

danjor · 08-13-2013, 05:49 PM

If it was me I would use a PWM controller that way you can adjust the duty cycle to whatever water flow you like. I am currently using the on off timer style controller from OEX but when I get some time I'm planning on setting up a PWM controller to control my bait tank pump since the on off sounds good on paper but it turned out to be annoying to me.

makobob · 08-13-2013, 06:06 PM

Why not do what most of us do. 12v for FF and 6v for bait tank? I got 14 hours on a lifepo4 and it still will run the pump maybe another 6 hours. And it only weighs less than 2 lbs.

iethinker · 08-13-2013, 07:58 PM

Raskal,

The type of device you have suggested will work fine allowing your main dual battery system all to be at 12-volts. This is very convenient for recharging the parallel battery system. Just be sure that the amperage your bilge-pump / bait-pump draws at 7-volts does not exceed the 3A limit of the DC/DC converter. The converter itself will not consume unacceptable excess power and is totally sealed. All of this is of course assuming you wire things correctly. Go for it!

BTW...the resistor suggested by bus_kid will only work if the resistance load of your bait pump is the same as the resistance of the wiper motors of an air-cooled Volkswagen of some vintage.

iethinker

Raskal311 · 08-13-2013, 08:36 PM

My second option is to go Lifepo4.

08-13-2013, 02:20 PM	#1
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,256	12v step down module? I’m looking to install two 12v batteries in a battery box to run my FF and bait tank. To run the bait tank I’d like to install a 12v Step down module to run the bait tank at 7.5v/3a. My question is would running a step down draw less juice giving me longer battery life similar to running a 6v battery direct? fficeffice" />>> http://www.amazon.com/Converter-Step-Power-Supply-Module/dp/B00CXKCOPY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1376406444&sr=8-7&keywords=12v+step+down BTW I have a hobie live well which is 12v 3amp. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

08-13-2013, 02:44 PM	#4
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Be careful with these. If it is an electronic circuit then even if it is waterproof it may have condensation issues like my oex bait timer did, which caused it to fail after only a few outtings. Personally I avoid adding anything extra between my batteries and electronics because it's just adding another potential failure point. To answer your question, on the item you linked I would expect it to draw 3A constantly from your battery. But, if I were to buy one of these I'd surely check it's actual current draw during use, and be prepared to return it. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe Last edited by alanw; 08-13-2013 at 09:38 PM.

08-13-2013, 02:48 PM	#5
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,256	Wow I'm glad I asked. Thanks fellas __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

08-13-2013, 03:48 PM	#6
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	Try this instead... http://www.mofoco.com/item/Empi_9384...Bug_/513/p2c62 __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ

08-13-2013, 06:06 PM	#8
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Why not do what most of us do. 12v for FF and 6v for bait tank? I got 14 hours on a lifepo4 and it still will run the pump maybe another 6 hours. And it only weighs less than 2 lbs. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

08-13-2013, 02:34 PM	#2
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	No. Unless you go very high dollar, step down transformers use resistors to drop the voltage, wasting the excess energy as heat.

08-13-2013, 05:49 PM	#7
danjor Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 673	If it was me I would use a PWM controller that way you can adjust the duty cycle to whatever water flow you like. I am currently using the on off timer style controller from OEX but when I get some time I'm planning on setting up a PWM controller to control my bait tank pump since the on off sounds good on paper but it turned out to be annoying to me.

08-13-2013, 07:58 PM	#9
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	Verify Amp-Draw But Go For It Raskal, The type of device you have suggested will work fine allowing your main dual battery system all to be at 12-volts. This is very convenient for recharging the parallel battery system. Just be sure that the amperage your bilge-pump / bait-pump draws at 7-volts does not exceed the 3A limit of the DC/DC converter. The converter itself will not consume unacceptable excess power and is totally sealed. All of this is of course assuming you wire things correctly. Go for it! BTW...the resistor suggested by bus_kid will only work if the resistance load of your bait pump is the same as the resistance of the wiper motors of an air-cooled Volkswagen of some vintage. iethinker Last edited by iethinker; 08-13-2013 at 08:05 PM.

08-13-2013, 08:36 PM	#10
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,256	My second option is to go Lifepo4. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12 Last edited by Raskal311; 08-13-2013 at 09:23 PM.

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