Methods of Increasing voltage (of a 12v battery)???

[FunkDaMonkMan]

I'd like to get around 20 to 30 amps at 16-18v out of my 12v car battery.

I have a device that will crash if run on 12v, but will run stable on anything greater that 14v. I don't have a problem when the car is running, because of the altenator. When the car is off, its back to 12v and this device crashes after 2 mintues.

Is there any way to make a circuit to boost voltage, or any 16v batteries on the market?

Thanks for the help.

[KaHNZa]

I can't remember off the top of my head what you need. But I do know that when you raise the voltage the amperage draw increases as well. By how much I don't know. I don't know the forumula. But I'm sure someone does. ;)

[deRusett]

V= IR

is the basic Formula

though you will not beable to make a 12v battery give you 16v, unless you are adding something to the circuit,

you could add another battery in series to give you more voltage, or some sort of current generator.

[{PMS}fishy]

Car batteries all ready produce some where between 14-18v. They are called 12v batteries but really are not.

What are you trying to do?

[slowmike]

summit racing sells a 16v battery, but its alot of cash $360
your alternator charges the 12v side of the batt and another device charges the 16v side.

[FunkDaMonkMan]

Car batteries produce 12.1V. When the car is running, my alternator produces around 14.5 V.

I need to build a circuit that takes in 12.1V and produces 14.5 to 18v @ 20 to 30 amperes.

I'm pretty sure it can be done because I have found many circuits that tripple voltage, but also reduce the amperage by 1/3. (actually a little more because they are not totally efficient).

I don't really care about how much is lost. A battery has a lot of amperage.

[Malpine Walis]

I found this page on google. (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electronic/voldoub.html) But you would have to use some beefy components to handle the current you are talking about. Also, you would have to then drop the voltage down to what you need, which would cause further losses.

Quite frankly, I wonder if you want to 1. change the DC to AC and 2. run it through a hand wound transformer and then 3.back through those beefy diodes like you have in your alternator.

[CrystalMethod]

Originally posted by FunkDaMonkMan
Car batteries produce 12.1V. When the car is running, my alternator produces around 14.5 V.

I need to build a circuit that takes in 12.1V and produces 14.5 to 18v @ 20 to 30 amperes.

I'm pretty sure it can be done because I have found many circuits that tripple voltage, but also reduce the amperage by 1/3. (actually a little more because they are not totally efficient).

I don't really care about how much is lost. A battery has a lot of amperage.

They're supposed to produce 12.6V when the car isn't running. 6 cells at 2.1V each. You could always try running two batteries in series and having a step down transformer, for your device. But, you would also have to have a seperate one for the car itself.

[ashenfang]

just curious what is the device? Might help us out a little here. You can make a circuit to do what you are trying to do, however, it will be bulky, hot and probably not safe to be around.

Give us some better info, such as the exact power requirements of this "device"

[FunkDaMonkMan]

This device is a voltage regulator itself. It produces exact voltages for other parts of my system. It needs 16+V to produce these voltages exactally. I have found that anythin gover 14.5v will work. Anything under is unacceptable.

I'd probably be able to get away with 15A, and I know it's not over 30A b/c I have a 30A fuse on it right now.

If I got an extra battery cell and rigged it up in a series to give me 16.7V would It be possible to keep all the regular car comonents at 12.6V, and just my device ast 16.7V?

Thanx for your help guys.

[UberBlue]

Voltage potential is largely dependant on the electrolyte. Might try switching to something farther down the PH scale. If your balls clank together when you walk that is.

[CrystalMethod]

Originally posted by FunkDaMonkMan
This device is a voltage regulator itself. It produces exact voltages for other parts of my system. It needs 16+V to produce these voltages exactally. I have found that anythin gover 14.5v will work. Anything under is unacceptable.

I'd probably be able to get away with 15A, and I know it's not over 30A b/c I have a 30A fuse on it right now.

If I got an extra battery cell and rigged it up in a series to give me 16.7V would It be possible to keep all the regular car comonents at 12.6V, and just my device ast 16.7V?

Thanx for your help guys.

The only problem I can see with that is that the IC regulator on your alternator will won't provide the correct current to the alternator to charge the batteries properly. I suppose you could modify the alternator as well so that it does charge properly.

[FunkDaMonkMan]

eh :(


ok.. i have an idea...


Is there any way to use diodes and an extra battery cell (2.1v battery) to create a 16.7V current to only my device, and have the rest of the car's main power stay at the standard 12.6V?

I guess i'd wire the 2.1v Battery in a series, but somehow isolate it from the rest of the car's power system ( I don't want the whole car getting 16.7V.. i think i could fry something).

[greenman100]

Originally posted by FunkDaMonkMan
eh :(


ok.. i have an idea...


Is there any way to use diodes and an extra battery cell (2.1v battery) to create a 16.7V current to only my device, and have the rest of the car's main power stay at the standard 12.6V?

I guess i'd wire the 2.1v Battery in a series, but somehow isolate it from the rest of the car's power system ( I don't want the whole car getting 16.7V.. i think i could fry something).


how would you charge the extra cell?

[greenman100]

I'd say get a 400w inverter ($30) and a 16V powersupply ($30).

No one said it'd be cheap. Why not redesign the voltage regulator?

[FunkDaMonkMan]

Yea, I could easily do this with a 300W inverter I have laying around, and a spare ATX powersupply, but heat and weight are also a concern.

I'd rather blow the $200 than put these items in.