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bb:low_voltage_power_distribution

Monitor/Controller DC power Scheme

The monitor and generator controller are powered by a DC power system consisting of:

  • 12 Volt DC car battery
  • 12 Volt DC automatic battery charger
  • Elk Electronics Power supply
  • Terminal strip for power distribution
  • Power switch
  • Fuse

12 Volt Battery

The battery is a low capacity car battery. Because power requirments are so low, almost any battery capacity rating will do. Because the battery is under constant trickle charging, it is necessary to monitor the battery water level periodically.

Automatic Battery Charger

The charger keeps the battery trickle charged and switches on automatically when the battery terminal voltage gets low.

Elk Electronics Power Supply

This supply switches the load between the car battery DC power created from a 16 volt transformer. The purpose of the supply is to run the controller/monitor when AC power is available. When AC is interrupted, the supply switches the load to the car battery.

Terminal Strip for Power Distribution

Power Switch

As can be seen from the terminal strip diagram above, the switch attaches to the terminal strip and switches the plus (+) DC power input to the controller and monitor. The minus (-) is always attached and not switched. The switch is an ordinary household wall switch mounted on the plywood wall.

Fuse

A fuse in an inline fuse holder is located in the positive supply lead going from the battery/battery charger to the power spply. System Wiring

The terminal strip, battery and charger are in a wooden “battery cabinet” and the Elk power supply sits on top of the cabinet. Wiring is as depicted in the following diagram:

The terminal strip distributes DC power and also provides connection points for the switch and power input. The strip is wired according to the following diagram:

bb/low_voltage_power_distribution.txt · Last modified: 2008/10/24 16:35 by tomgee