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DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

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    DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

    Need to hardwire a dashcam in my new Crown Vic and I'm wondering how important it is to get a good quality vs a crappy DC adapter and how do I tell if it's good or not? They all look about the same about the same price range. I'd happily spend a few bucks more to get a really well-made one but I don't really see too many options. Thank you in advance.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-Conve...W/182901814133

    #2
    Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

    I have used and still using the cheap Chinese types and they work well. Just unsure the Current rating is adequate.

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      #3
      Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

      Originally posted by Andrew F. Ali View Post
      I have used and still using the cheap Chinese types and they work well. Just unsure the Current rating is adequate.
      Thanks! Yeah it's a little dashcam that works fine on a 1A port so the "3A" one should be fine.

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        #4
        Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

        I'm using the same thing, for over two years, with no issues. Except the cams battery does not last to long and needs replacing. I have a Mini 0805 camera.

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          #5
          Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

          For 12V to 5V car SMPS, I thought using a cheap one to charge a $500 phone is not a great idea.

          I use KIM-055L modules (thanks stj!) which are efficient and good for over 4A, they use TPS40057 IC and some mosfets. You can find them on fleabay and Ali, unpotted for under $3. Also some boards have 4-port USB to use as car charger.
          I replace the two electrolytic capacitors with solid polymers, so it works in winter, and add a huge automotive-rated TVS diode SM8A27 to protect against transients, just soldered underneath. This has worked great for years.

          Some 12V to 5V DC-DC units I've seen are junk (overheat, crap capacitors, low Vin max like 16V).

          Comment


            #6
            Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

            Originally posted by redwire View Post
            For 12V to 5V car SMPS, I thought using a cheap one to charge a $500 phone is not a great idea.

            I use KIM-055L modules (thanks stj!) which are efficient and good for over 4A, they use TPS40057 IC and some mosfets. You can find them on fleabay and Ali, unpotted for under $3. Also some boards have 4-port USB to use as car charger.
            I replace the two electrolytic capacitors with solid polymers, so it works in winter, and add a huge automotive-rated TVS diode SM8A27 to protect against transients, just soldered underneath. This has worked great for years.

            Some 12V to 5V DC-DC units I've seen are junk (overheat, crap capacitors, low Vin max like 16V).
            I would never use anything but a quality, name-brand adapter to charge my phone, that's for sure. But for a cheap-ish dashcam, I don't care so much lol.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

              What I do not like about using Buck converter is that when switched MOSFET shorted out, it will dump the input Voltage to the output. I put fuse and 6.2V zener at the output just in case.
              Never stop learning
              Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
              http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

              Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
              http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

              Inverter testing using old CFL:
              http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

              Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
              http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

              TV Factory reset codes listing:
              http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

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                #8
                Re: DC to DC Converter Quality - Does it Matter?

                Originally posted by budm View Post
                What I do not like about using Buck converter is that when switched MOSFET shorted out, it will dump the input Voltage to the output. I put fuse and 6.2V zener at the output just in case.
                I never thought about this but you are right I have one those Buck converter
                not the same model but it does the same thing

                Here is the one that I have

                https://www.ebay.com/itm/26089468014...84.m1436.l2649

                Thanks for posting this thought
                Last edited by sam_sam_sam; 05-04-2018, 03:45 PM.
                9 PC LCD Monitor
                6 LCD Flat Screen TV
                30 Desk Top Switching Power Supply
                10 Battery Charger Switching Power Supply for Power Tool
                6 18v Lithium Battery Power Boards for Tool Battery Packs
                1 XBox 360 Switching Power Supply and M Board
                25 Servo Drives 220/460 3 Phase
                6 De-soldering Station Switching Power Supply 1 Power Supply
                1 Dell Mother Board
                15 Computer Power Supply
                1 HP Printer Supply & Control Board * lighting finished it *


                These two repairs where found with a ESR meter...> Temp at 50*F then at 90*F the ESR reading more than 10%

                1 Over Head Crane Current Sensing Board ( VFD Failure Five Years Later )
                2 Hem Saw Computer Stack Board

                All of these had CAPs POOF
                All of the mosfet that are taken out by bad caps

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