12VDC Power Conditioning
12VDC Power Conditioning
(OP)
Hello All,
I'm new to this forum and the automotive industry... I'm working on a project hooking up a data logging computer to a vehicle (CAN bus) along with an inclinometer sensor. I need to clean up the VDC from the alternator so it operates at a steady 12VDC.
Can anyone recommend a power conditioner to do this?
I appreciate your help!
I'm new to this forum and the automotive industry... I'm working on a project hooking up a data logging computer to a vehicle (CAN bus) along with an inclinometer sensor. I need to clean up the VDC from the alternator so it operates at a steady 12VDC.
Can anyone recommend a power conditioner to do this?
I appreciate your help!





RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
ISZ
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
The datalogger operates at 12 Volts. It does have internal conditioning, as well as a 10A fuse. However, I've been using an additional external 5A fuse for convenience (I don't want to have to unscrew the datalogger everytime the fuse blows). It never should be drawing more than 1 Amp.
I feel like the easiest solution would be to condition the 10-14V input to a clean 12V, I just don't know if something like that exists.
However, now I'm thinking it might be best to just use an external 10A fuse and an internal 15A fuse for the datalogger and create a simple voltage divider for the inclinometer. Has anyone done something like this?
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
And why do you need so many fuses at all? If it really only draws an amp, then having a larger fuse will simply cause more damage before the fuse(s) blow.
What is the specification for the datalogger?
If you're really that concerned, then get the DC-DC converter as suggested by ISZ and be done with it.
TTFN
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RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
The reason for 2 stages of fuses is convenience. The internal 10A fuse is a pain to get to. It's much easier to replace one external to the datalogger.
Here is the datalogger spec: http://www.somat.com/products/somat_edaq_lite.html
Maybe it would be best to trust the somat power conditioning. I was also thinking of terminating the power input with a capacitor, I don't think it could hurt.
Thanks!
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
A low pass filter using a reactor in series connected to a capacitor in parallel would probably suffice. Even just a decent sized reactor in series would likely be enough.
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
RE: 12VDC Power Conditioning
Creating a voltage divider will do nothing to maintain a constant 12.0 vdc for your sensor, it will just pass X% of whatever you feed it. You need a voltage conditioning circuit to do that, and one of the easiest ways is the DC-DC converters. Digi-key sells them for $6-40 depending on wattage. As far as trusting the excitation voltage, you didn't say what layer you are hooking it up to. If you let me know I can check the manual.
I have used Somat products for the past 15 years and I can say their products are solid and customer service is 2nd to none. Call them up and see what Lisle has to say. You can also call their local sales rep, the one's I have dealt with work directly for Somat and not some catch-all instrumentation distributor.
ISZ