48V to 12V Converter for Mobile 48V Solar Power System

Reference : https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/mobile-48v-system.html

Can someone help me (new to electrical and solar systems) understand what I won't be able to do if I dont install this converter, and if I do install it what it will allow me to be able to do?

I already have the equipment but couldn't understand why this part was helpful.

I am going to be using this as a back up power option if we ever lose power in our area.

RV/automotive accessories like radios, TVs, or cocktail blenders are designed to operate at 12V. If you connected their power terminals to a battery bank that was 48V, you would fry the electronics inside, and potentially start a fire. The converter allows you to safely connect 12V items you already may have to your 48V battery.

Look carefully at the ad below....

What you see in the description is that the unit can output a maximum of 20amps at 12V, or a total of 240Watts.

I don't see the amperage rating of the unit you pictured above, but it is likely to be either 10 or 20A. What that means in the real-world is that you can connect any RV electronic device to your 48V battery, as long as the power required does not exceed 240W. If the thing you connect does attempt to draw more than 240W, either the item will short out the converter electronics, or it may simply not function properly.

So, you could plug in one item that consumes 240W, or two items that consume 120W each, or maybe three items that consume 120W, and 90W, and 30W respectively.

You haven't mentioned as to whether or not you actually have a 48V battery system? Is there already a 48V backup battery for a solar system installed out in your garage? Why 48V? What exactly are you intending to connect this to?

chclarkga said:

Reference : https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/mobile-48v-system.html

Can someone help me (new to electrical and solar systems) understand what I won't be able to do if I dont install this converter, and if I do install it what it will allow me to be able to do?

Click to expand...

Do you want to use this in an RV? A power box? A home?

Generally a 48V to 12V converter will let you run small loads at 12V - like car phone chargers, lights, radios etc. If it's anything other than a small load, then using the DC/DC to charge a small 12V battery will give you far more surge capacity.

Choose cheap DC/DCs like the Meanwells that allow battery charging at their output, and set the output to 13.8V. I have had good luck buying 15V supplies and trimming them down.

I appreciate y’all’s quick responses and help.

This system is intended to run a fridge and deep freezer and charge a few other small electronics (radios, usb-flash lights, etc) if we lose power.

In other videos I have seen people run a power strip out of the same inverter (AC Out) and plugging in similar types of devices to what i want to power.

What do you recommend for my use case?

I really appreciate your help!

Also, the battery and inverter charger are 48v just like in his build sheet linked above.

chclarkga said:

I appreciate y’all’s quick responses and help.

This system is intended to run a fridge and deep freezer and charge a few other small electronics (radios, usb-flash lights, etc) if we lose power.

Click to expand...

OK that is a lot of power/energy.

For short term use I'd recommend at least a ~2kwhr battery fed by at least a 500 watt charger. That may work as long as the fridge/freezer are efficient.

So both the deep freeze and the fridge are 12V? Are they Sunfrost or equivalent very efficient versions?

@billvon
I bought everything in this list recommended by Will. I am hoping to set everything up this week. Do you see any issues with me plugging in my fridge to the AC Output power strip once it is all setup if I dont use the 48V to 12V Converter?

1. 3kW All-in-one: Click Here to Purchase
2. 48V Server Rack Battery: Click Here To Purchase
3. AC Input Cord: Click Here To Purchase
4. AC Output Cord: Click Here To Purchase
5. MC4 Extension Cable Connection (connect regular solar panels to this system with this cable. Pictured above): Click Here to Purchase
6. 48V to 12V Converter: Click Here to Purchase

chclarkga said:

@billvon
I bought everything in this list recommended by Will. I am hoping to set everything up this week. Do you see any issues with me plugging in my fridge to the AC Output power strip once it is all setup if I dont use the 48V to 12V Converter?

Click to expand...

OK I'm confused. Why were you asking about a 48V to 12v converter if you just want to run an AC fridge? You can do that off the EG4 inverter as-is.

chclarkga said:

I appreciate y’all’s quick responses and help.

This system is intended to run a fridge and deep freezer and charge a few other small electronics (radios, usb-flash lights, etc) if we lose power.

In other videos I have seen people run a power strip out of the same inverter (AC Out) and plugging in similar types of devices to what i want to power.

What do you recommend for my use case?

I really appreciate your help!

Click to expand...

If you already have AC adapters for the small devices you want to power (radios, usb-flash lights, phones, etc), my 2 cents is to skip the 48V to 12V DC converter and stick with AC-only (use a power strip on an AC circuit) to keep it simple.

This is perfect! Thank you!