Samlex 30A Non-Isolated Step-Down 24VDC-12VDC Converter

I'm using this to run 12v power to an RV (from a 24v battery).It's nice that this converts to 13.6v instead of actually 12v. Everything runs just a bit better at the higher voltage. It's also really close to a float voltage for lead-acid batteries, so it matches up well with expected voltage.The converter is also pretty efficient with low overhead. If I unplug everything from the output, it uses less than 2w (I didn't take an accurate low power measurement -- the minimum power recorded by the shunt I'm using has about 2w as the minimum. So this converter uses less than that!). This is great for storing the RV for short-ish periods (say a month or three). The low overhead means I don't need to worry too much about draining the big 24v battery due to phantom loads when almost everything is turned off.Before purchasing this, I made sure everything in the RV uses less than 30 amps. Everything was actually significantly less than 30 amps -- the biggest power draws were only around 15amps, and most things just a few amps. Even turning on all the lights, stereo, etc, there's still enough left over where running the water pump or tongue jack stays under 30 amps total.After actually converting the RV over to the 24v system, I was a bit disappointed to discover this wouldn't run the happijac bed lift motor. The motor only draws 5 amps when lowering the bed, and 10a-15a when raising the bed (15a if I put a couple hundred lbs on the bed first). So I guess I'm disappointed in happijac for including a DC motor with such a high startup requirement, and disappointed in the Samlex converter for not being able to start the motor.All of the other motors in the system work fine (tongue jack, fuel station pump, etc). It's just the bed lift.I ended up adding a small 8ah 12v lifepo4 battery to the system. The Samlex converter keeps the battery charged, and the battery provides the extra boost needed for high startup currents. This system works well -- but it's just more complicated and more space than I really wanted it to take up. Let alone having another part in the system which can break.Another slightly disappointing note: the output of the Samlex converter raises to 13.7v when under almost no load. This normally wouldn't be any issue, but since I've added the lifepo4 battery it's higher than I want. A nice float voltage for that would be around 13.2v to 13.6v -- so 13.7v isn't terrible, I just wish the output would stay at the stated 13.6v.So ... all in all, this thing is pretty decent and does almost everything I want. Combined with a small 12v battery, it's capable of running everything in an RV.

Excellent performance, solid construction. My only issue is the blade style connectors. I wanted 6 awg wire and it was incredibly difficult to make 8 awg fit into those awful connectors.....Which do not come with unit. I cannot imagine 4 blade style connectors cost much.The book says solder heavy wire, into smaller wire, like 10 awg so they fit. That seems like uneccessary resistance, but I'm no expert.This is still a nice unit, which works as advertised.

Note: This converter was purchased after I bought another cheaper converter that just didn't work at all.This item was received in a timely manner. When I opened the box, I thought it was packed well, and came with good installation instructions. I stopped by the hardware store and got the connectors, fuses and wires I needed. I used the chassis screw holes to mount it to the side if my dc refrigerator (it's a 12 volt fridge, and I'm on a 24 volt solar system, thus the need for the converter). I hooked up the 24 volt side first, and checked the output - right around 13.8 volts. I then hooked it up to the fridge, and the fridge powered right up. The fridge pulls about 4 Amps when running, and about 10 Amps on startup, and it runs probably 25% of the time. I periodically check the converter to see if it or the wires get hot - they don't. The converter has a fan that occasionally comes on which probably helps with this. The fan makes a little noise but not really noticeable, and I sleep in the same room as the fridge/unit (it's an off grid cabin). I have had this unit installed and running for about one month and it's worked perfectly so far. I expect it could run for years in this setup (hopefully;)

Superb quality and durability. I've been running SDC30 and SDC60 DC-DC converters for 10 years now without a problem. In my off-grid house, I convert my variable voltage 24V-nominal batteries (21V-30V in reality) to a constant output 14V for running 12V-nominal loads. I have my heat circulating pumps, security alarm panel, smoke alarms, thermostats, DC lighting, and DC receptacles all hooked into it through a Square D QO breaker panel.

my battery manufacturer and Samlex both say to use 6 awg wire to carry the load but nobody make a 6 awg spade connector. I hope others that have bought this product did not down size their wire just to use this. Back its goes. they recommend the wire size but don't know you cannot buy a the proper connector.

This is a great product. Its much smaller than I expected or the pictures lead me to believe. For 30 amps, it packs a punch in a tiny package, which really validates the price.

Definitely a little workhorse very surprising for it size. The fan is pretty loud though

worked perfect!