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12VAC to 24VAC transformer needed

I need to find a transformer (converter?) that will allow me to
upconvert from 12VAC to 24VAC in order to drive a small motorized
device (50 watts) for continuous duty. I tried using a 110V/220V
'travel' transformer -- it gave me the correct voltage but not enough
output current (probably not enough turns on the windings). I need a
transformer rather than an electronic converter since I am driving an
AC motor... isolation isn't an issue so I could go with an
Autotransformer. All of the transformers I see out there are for high
voltage primaries (110V or more). Thanks.
 
L

Larry Brasfield

Jan 1, 1970
0
I need to find a transformer (converter?) that will allow me to
upconvert from 12VAC to 24VAC in order to drive a small motorized
device (50 watts) for continuous duty. I tried using a 110V/220V
'travel' transformer -- it gave me the correct voltage but not enough
output current (probably not enough turns on the windings). I need a
transformer rather than an electronic converter since I am driving an
AC motor... isolation isn't an issue so I could go with an
Autotransformer. All of the transformers I see out there are for high
voltage primaries (110V or more). Thanks.


The method I suggest below will require a slightly larger
transformer than one designed for your purpose, but it
would only leave about half the copper unused. For a
one-off application, that may be better than trying to
find an unusual transformer.

If you can find any transformer with a 24 VAC center-tapped
secondary rated for your load current (which appears to be a
bit above 2 A), then you can drive the center-tap and one end
with your 12 VAC and take 24 VAC from the ends. Be sure
to cover the primary lead ends as they will (likely) have a higher
voltage. This will function as an auto-transformer, with about
2 A flowing thru each half of the 24 V winding for a total of
4 A applied to the center-tap. If the center-tap is brought out
as a single wire, you need be sure it is good for 4 A. (If the
secondary is split, as is common, the wires should be large
enough for the rated current.)
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
I need to find a transformer (converter?) that will allow me to
upconvert from 12VAC to 24VAC in order to drive a small motorized
device (50 watts) for continuous duty. I tried using a 110V/220V
'travel' transformer -- it gave me the correct voltage but not enough
output current (probably not enough turns on the windings). I need a
transformer rather than an electronic converter since I am driving an
AC motor... isolation isn't an issue so I could go with an
Autotransformer. All of the transformers I see out there are for high
voltage primaries (110V or more). Thanks.
A 110 to 220 transformer will work with 12 vac on its primary
to give you 24 vac output on its secondary.
Ed
 
Hi Ed ... that was exactly the approach that I tried before (with the
'travel' transformer)... it just didn't give me enough current on the
output -- presumably it had a low number of turns. I think Larry
(above) gave me something to run with but thanks for the feedback!
 
J

John G

Jan 1, 1970
0
ehsjr said:
A 110 to 220 transformer will work with 12 vac on its primary
to give you 24 vac output on its secondary.
Ed

But to supply the OPs load the 110 to 220 volt transformer will need to
be rated at about 500 va to have heavy enough wire to cope with the 2
amps needed.
 
B

Bob Monsen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Ed ... that was exactly the approach that I tried before (with the
'travel' transformer)... it just didn't give me enough current on the
output -- presumably it had a low number of turns. I think Larry
(above) gave me something to run with but thanks for the feedback!

The number of turns defines the voltage ratio. For a 110 to 220
transformer, the ratio is 1:2. This is also true of a 12 to 24 transformer.

I'm guessing your source is not keeping up it's part of the bargain, and
drooping under load. That is, unless there is something sinister about
the travel transformer that we don't know about.

You may not know that you'll have to supply a bit more than twice the
current at 12V than the 24V device needs. A transformer will keep
constant volts * amps (except for losses). Thus, you'll need to supply
at least 4.2A at 12V to keep up with your 50W motor.

Larry's suggestion also discards any isolation between the load and the
source. This may not be an issue for you, but then again, it may.
 
L

Larry Brasfield

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bob Monsen said:
The number of turns defines the voltage ratio. For a 110 to 220 transformer, the ratio is 1:2. This is also true of a 12 to 24
transformer.

I'm guessing your source is not keeping up it's part of the bargain, and drooping under load. That is, unless there is something
sinister about the travel transformer that we don't know about.

You may not know that you'll have to supply a bit more than twice the current at 12V than the 24V device needs. A transformer will
keep constant volts * amps (except for losses). Thus, you'll need to supply at least 4.2A at 12V to keep up with your 50W motor.

Losses are a big issue when a transformer is used at a
fraction of its design voltage. The OP's 2.1 A load, if
taken from a 110 to 220 transformer secondary, will
require a 460 VA transformer. The fact that the load
is only 50 VA means a much larger transformer would
be required, about 9 X. By using the secondary of a
50 VA transformer as I suggested, there is much less
iron and copper put to waste. (Copper is wasted due
to having 9 X as many turns as are needed for the core.
Iron is wasted to hold all that extra copper.) There is
some waste with my suggestion too, but not so much.
A dedicated 12 to 24 VAC autotransformer could be
built without the wasted copper of a 110 VAC primary.
But that waste nominally only about half the copper.
Larry's suggestion also discards any isolation between the load and the source. This may not be an issue for you, but then again,
it may.

When the OP stated "isolation isn't an issue so I could go
with an Autotransformer", I took him at his word, assuming
he understood the loss of isolation.
 
C

Chris

Jan 1, 1970
0
Larry said:
The method I suggest below will require a slightly larger
transformer than one designed for your purpose, but it
would only leave about half the copper unused. For a
one-off application, that may be better than trying to
find an unusual transformer.

If you can find any transformer with a 24 VAC center-tapped
secondary rated for your load current (which appears to be a
bit above 2 A), then you can drive the center-tap and one end
with your 12 VAC and take 24 VAC from the ends. Be sure
to cover the primary lead ends as they will (likely) have a higher
voltage. This will function as an auto-transformer, with about
2 A flowing thru each half of the 24 V winding for a total of
4 A applied to the center-tap. If the center-tap is brought out
as a single wire, you need be sure it is good for 4 A. (If the
secondary is split, as is common, the wires should be large
enough for the rated current.)

Elegant. I like it.

But if the OP desires isolation, he might also want to get two
transformers of at least 70VA rating (12VAC * 6A or more secondary,
24VAC * 3A or more secondary) and backfeed the first transformer to
supply the second like this (view in fixed font or M$ Notepad):
`
` |
` T1 T2
` o------. ,-----|-----. ,-------o
` 12VAC In )|( )|( 24VAC Out
` )|( | )|(
` o------' '-----------' '-------o
` Sec. Pri. | Pri. Sec.
`
` |
`
` T1: Pri. 120VAC Sec. 12VAC 6A
`
` T2: Pri. 120VAC Sec. 24VAC 3A

created by Andy´s ASCII-Circuit v1.24.140803 Beta www.tech-chat.de

T1 is set up backward (the 12VAC is supplying the secondary of the
transformer, and the 120VAC primary is the output). This is called
backfeeding a transformer. The output of T1 is used to supply T2,
which outputs a standard 24VAC.

Good luck
Chris
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
Larry said:
Losses are a big issue when a transformer is used at a
fraction of its design voltage.

<snip>

Your solution not only saves on the very real "technical"
losses, it also avoids the "wallet" losses incurred with
the 110:220 transformer my post mentions. I just looked at
the prices for the kind of transformer I had in mind - ouch.
We're talking the 100 dollar neighborhood. Should be able to
get something at 24V ct around 5 amps for around $25.

Sounds like your idea is a winner.

Ed
 
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