[jehan12413]

I just found some dc-dc converters on ebay, I'm looking at a Vicor V1-251-09 200v to 12v model and am wondering if anyone is familiar with this one. I sent a request to the seller for the datasheet but while I'm waiting I figured I would post it here .

[Tesseract]

That would be VI, not V1... and did you not even try Vicor's website?

http://www.vicr.com/cms/home/technic...es/Data_Sheets

The -09 (-O9?) suffix doesn't seem to be current, but VI-251 means it has a 150VDC nominal input and a 12VDC output. Note that part number VI-25P has a 13.8VDC output and therefore would be much better suited for use in an EV. All the VI converters have a provision for trimming the output voltage over a narrow range (+/- 10%) so you could get up to 13.2V on your 12V model but that still isn't enough to keep the 12V battery charged. I personally think relying on just a DC-DC converter for the 12V system in a vehicle is way too risky - at least use a small garden tractor battery so if/when the dc-dc finally blows up from the abuse you aren't stranded.

[GerhardRP]

Originally Posted by jehan12413

I just found some dc-dc converters on ebay, I'm looking at a Vicor V1-251-09 200v to 12v model and am wondering if anyone is familiar with this one. I sent a request to the seller for the datasheet but while I'm waiting I figured I would post it here .

Looks like an old numbering scheme...
http://cdn.vicorpower.com/documents/.../ds_vi-200.pdf

Gerhard

[jehan12413]

Thanks for the link that's exactly what I needed. My main question was weather the output is isolated and I see it is. As far as the battery the one I'm using is the standard size for my vehicle (a honda) so the converter is just to keep it topped off.

[dtbaker]

Originally Posted by jehan12413

I just found some dc-dc converters on ebay, I'm looking at a Vicor V1-251-09 200v to 12v model and am wondering if anyone is familiar with this one. I sent a request to the seller for the datasheet but while I'm waiting I figured I would post it here .

least expensive ones I can fnd at the moment that look up to the job re the ones from chennic.com . The Vicors are reported to not last well. I have been happy with my Curtis, but it was 3x the cost of the chennic. i have ordered from chennic to try when I upgrade my pack from 96v to 120v.

[dtbaker]

chennics arrived today.... box was pretty beat up, and fuse holder/fuse was broken on both units. looks like the box was really tossed around, but the units and heat sinks look ok. I won't be able to install the first one for another couple weeks as my new batteries have not arrived...

[jehan12413]

I ordered a vicor to try out but if you have a web adress I'll look into a chennic also. Thanks

[dtbaker]

Originally Posted by jehan12413

I ordered a vicor to try out but if you have a web adress I'll look into a chennic also. Thanks

chennic.com
they don't have prices published online, but it comes out to right around $99 shipped to US for the 500watt units.

[JimDanielson]

I bought this vicor and am very unhappy. I ended up needing two so that the vacuum, lights, contactor, and potentially blower or windshield wipers could all be powered.

Since it only gives out 12 volts it does a fail job of charging the accessory battery. I need the accessory battery to turn on the contactor. I often use an extra charger to charge the accessory battery just because I don't trust the vicors will give me the required power.

I recommend against buying this, buy something that outputs 13.8 volts.

Jim

[dtbaker]

my old curtis is only 300 watts, but is enough for everything including fan...

In prep for my pack upgrade from 96v to 120v I did step up to 500 watt chennic, so should be more than enough. I got the 13.5v output in case I ever charge a 12v battery, but for now I just go direct with no aux battery. I ordered one voltage step down from my 'nominal' to avoid low end brownout when batteries are at full load/sag...