Question

[Brett Dikeman]

At 4:18 PM -0600 4/5/03, Todd Young wrote:

>Here's my idea, instead of using relays, why not utilize a DC-DC
>converter circuit with the relays? Input would still be 13.6 volts
>directly from the battery, but with the DC-DC converter, the voltage
>from the battery could be a "range" of voltages, but still have an
>output from the converter set to a steady 12 volts.
>
>OK, tell me why this wouldn't work?

It wouldn't be even remotely cost-effective, even hand-built; the
gain in brightness wouldn't justify the cost.  It's a lot easier to
just buy a pair of bulbs rated 10-20W higher.

Commercial units start around $100 for 10A or so, but the ones I
found quickly had completely wrong voltages- things like 48V in, 12V
out(probably for telco; 48V is common for large telco/data facilities
for supplying equipment).

   13.6V means you're looking for an adjustable unit- it's not a
standard voltage.  That means more $.  Your voltages are also close
to each other, and input is possibly less than output- yet again more
$; it's a lot tougher to go up than down, especially for high
currents.  Oh, and you'd need extended temperature/vibration/humidity
resistance; add a bunch more $ :-)

Cool idea, but, unfortunately, not practical. :(

Brett
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