Converting from 240VAC to 120VAC

[slvyj]

Question for the electricians. I have installed on my trailer a HCdP Power Panel MK6, that is made in South Africa and has everything I need in a nice small compact unit. Its a AC to 12 Volt Battery Charge, AC charger, DC to DC charger and MPPT solar charge controller all in one. The only problem is it is 240VAC/50mhz, which for now is ok because I live in Europe but in a few years I will be returning to the States.

Is it possible to convert the AC to 110VAC/60mhz? I don't want to use an external transformer, I would like to replace what ever I need within the panels internals. Is it possible? Even better if I can make this multi-voltage.

Link to the company's website. https://www.hcdpelectronics.co.za/

Thanks

 

[DaveInDenver]

You have to ask HCdP about your 120 V options, I don't see any mention of it. It looks like to me the mains side the charger input will accept 180 to 265 V from 40 to 70 Hz. Nominal expected input is 220 V, 50 Hz, 16 A.

If that frequency range of 40 to 70 Hz is correct it might be possible to get that working with a 2-pole 240V North American circuit directly. You'd have to check with HCdP whether it's acceptable to use 2-pole (also referred to as split phase) 240 V with it. It's imperative that you know this from the manufacturer because hooking up a 2-pole 240 V to a 1-pole wired 240 V may create an unsafe situation with a hot neutral. Or it might work without any issue. Gotta know how it's designed and wired to be sure.

If you don't know the way this is done typically is a transformer, either (or both) to handle correcting hot-neutral wiring or the cheapest way to step up or down voltage.

It's possible to do conversion without a transformer but it's going to be considerably more expensive. A device that isn't designed for 50 Hz exclusively makes your life easier since frequency conversion to North American 60 Hz is more involved. But if you're considering a solid state voltage conversion anyway you may find frequency conversion is part of the package. But that shouldn't be surprising since a simple transformer voltage/neutral conversion (no frequency change) solution might be $50 while a solid state converter of a similar capacity will be $1,500.

 

[john61ct]

The solar controller and DCDC circuitry are irrelevant.

For shore power charging, unless that manufacturer has a version intended to be USA compatible

likely you are out of luck.

When replacement time comes, look for "universal world power" input compatibility e.g.

85 to 264 Vac, 47 to 63 Hz

The best strategy is for that charger to be the **only** device that connects to shore power directly

All consumer devices can then be a mix of whatever AC standards you collect along the way, driven by appropriate inverters off the House bank.

 

[john61ct]

Its a AC to 12 Volt Battery Charge, AC charger

These are not two separate components, correct?

 

[DaveInDenver]

These are not two separate components, correct?

All-in-one assembly. I was thinking he meant optional AC inverter when he said "AC charger," but that's only my assumption.

 

[john61ct]

Ah yes likely meant inverter.

I always find these "all in one" packages pretty useless myself, IMO best to size each component for your specific needs,

Some contexts will require a 100A charger, others are OK with 20A, etc

And can easily swap out when upgrading or replacement required, not toss out everything when just one bit fails.

 

[slvyj]

Thanks for all the input, looks like my best option is to replace the system when I return to the States. Thanks again.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[broncobowsher]

You would be better off removing that and selling it while you are there. There is a market for someone to buy it there. Landfill material here in the states. Don't wait too long.