Hi all....
I am building an RC Lawnmower. Most of the HD motors are wheelchair gear type and require 24V. But some of the electronics I plan to use are 12V, for example the linear actuators.
Can I tap the series connector line between the batteries for the 12V? I think this may be how it is done on heavy equipment and trucks that use two 12V batteries to operate on 24V, but am unsure.
What's the impact of such an arrangement if I run the 12V tap from the system when I go to charge the batteries? I'm wondering when recharging in such a situation if it would be better to either use two 12V chargers and charge each battery separately (or build a circuit that cycles one charger between the two barriers), instead of a 24V charger across the two batteries. I'm assuming the battery I tap off of will have a smaller voltage than the other after they drain.
Not sure what chemistry I will use for the batteries, but weight is obviously a factor.
I'd love to use this question as an excuse to buy a CAT D9 Dozer to assist in my research, but sadly (1) I live in the suburbs and (2) my wife won't let me have one.
Pics attached....
I am building an RC Lawnmower. Most of the HD motors are wheelchair gear type and require 24V. But some of the electronics I plan to use are 12V, for example the linear actuators.
Can I tap the series connector line between the batteries for the 12V? I think this may be how it is done on heavy equipment and trucks that use two 12V batteries to operate on 24V, but am unsure.
What's the impact of such an arrangement if I run the 12V tap from the system when I go to charge the batteries? I'm wondering when recharging in such a situation if it would be better to either use two 12V chargers and charge each battery separately (or build a circuit that cycles one charger between the two barriers), instead of a 24V charger across the two batteries. I'm assuming the battery I tap off of will have a smaller voltage than the other after they drain.
Not sure what chemistry I will use for the batteries, but weight is obviously a factor.
I'd love to use this question as an excuse to buy a CAT D9 Dozer to assist in my research, but sadly (1) I live in the suburbs and (2) my wife won't let me have one.
Pics attached....
I have to admit originally I blew off your response when I saw the inductor and number of components on the board as I thought it looked pretty inefficient. My circuit knowledge is pretty good, but dated. So I wondered if you were to step it down why not use a linear voltage regulator and just accept the energy loss. Then I did some reading on switching regulators and see how they are much better, especially in non-noise sensitive circuit design (hope this won't be problematic in my RC system).
