I would to understand how thie Orion TR Smart 12-12/30 charger boost low input voltage. Is it a buck/boost switching circuit based on a inductor/capacitor or something else?
Also any curves for added recharge time with low input voltages?
Thanks
Yeah it is a buck-boost converter that uses an inductor and capacitor-based switching circuit to regulate voltage. They output 30amps regardless of the input. You might consider the input voltage when calculating the current on the input. If you are putting in 10V and outputting 14.6V the input current will be much higher 14.6 x 30 = 438W approx 43.8A about 90% eff = 48A and slightly more again for the iso version the are not as efficitent.
As I read the Orion TR Smart 12 12 30 has a hard limit of 30 amps input. A major point of the device is to protect the alternator from high amperage draws. I think this device uses fast on/off switching with the inductor/capacitor circuit to take low voltage and build it up to the desired output voltage. So part of the it is recharging it’s own circuit and part time recharging the load. Can anyone confirm or deny this understanding?
No no, it’s a limit of 30A output, not input. The input current will always be higher.
Sterling Power is the only company I know of who rates their DC-DC chargers in input current rather than output current.
If you want to limit the input current, check out the Orion XS line. It allows for configuring both input and/or output current.
Jim many thanks for pointing out the differences in the TR Smart and XS lines. I;m really wanting the XS model.
The only reason to get a TR atm is for the isolated version if required and 12V, and 24V models.