Got my HRP-600-15 Meanwell PSU installed today.
Not sure what the exact voltage is I set it to, but it runs at 14.2-14.5 volts on the 12V side per the Scangauge. Under load it's anywhere from 13.2 to 14.1 volts.
No pictures because installation is pretty messy. Basically just insulated all wires, verified that it works, and then tied it up so it won't roll around everywhere. Will obviously clean things up later and then post pictures.
First impressions after installing.
- The fan is loud! Definitely going to upgrade. I'm assuming I can just reuse the wiring from the stock fan on the meanwell?
- The voltage drops much faster than with the stock DC-DC. I haven't driven it yet; just played around with various loads and various RPMs in neutral. Adding load seems to make the voltage drop 2-4 times as much as with the DC-DC.
- Most of the time at a 1100 RPM idle (<20 mph arduino makes ECU think IMA is empty, so idle is 1100 RPM vs 900 RPM) even with the base load, the meanwell cycles on and off every second or so, as if it isn't getting enough voltage. IMA voltage cycles between 70V and 100V as the meanwell turns on and off. Is this normal meanwell behavior, or is something wrong? Taking it to 1200 or 1300 RPMs keeps it on fine. I didn't install a relay, but will be getting a manual kill switch to disconnect the ground at will, partly because I want control over it and also now to turn it off at low RPM so it stops cycling on and off. Sometimes it works fine and maintains 14.2-14.5 volts at 1100 RPM, but fewer times than not.
I supposed my main question is, since the voltage falls by 1-1.3 volts whenever I add load (high beam headlights, hazards (only lights not LED), radio), what voltage should I set the meanwell to? As mentioned with no load and at 1200+ RPM it's at 14.2-14.5 volts according to the Scanguage, but with load it varies between 13.2 and 14.0 volts. With voltage drop my guess is that the meanwell is set to somewhere around 14.6-14.7 volts?
If I lower the voltage, I'm guessing I would get more amps at idle, but then when I add load the voltage would drop below 13 volts.
I'm new to this!
We'll see what happens and what new "quirks and features" (#DougDemuro) I discover about the meanwell after driving it around for deliveries tomorrow.
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EDIT:
Installation pics attached. Note that this is a very crude first install - I just wanted to get it up and running late last night so I can drive the car this morning. I'll work on attaching it better and whatnot instead of just using zip ties. Also planning on putting better insulation besides 2-3 layers of electrical tape to secure the 3 input leads apart, since they are currently about 2-4mm apart from each other.
Only wire used was a 10-gauge wire (red, only color wire I had) to connect the negative of the rectifier to the meanwell. The positive lead is bolted directly on. The high voltage leads are bolted directly to the rectifier. The 12V output leads are bolted directly to the meanwell. Idea is to reduce the number of connections to avoid voltage drop, etc.
I did not install a relay; I will be getting a manual kill switch for the meanwell here in a few days that I will be installing on the ground wire to manually turn the meanwell unit on and off.
Let the car idle for a few seconds cold this morning. At the 1500 RPM idle it has for the first few seconds running cold the meanwell charged at 14.3-14.6 volts, 14.4-14.5 was most common, and with high beams and radio on stayed at 14.2-14.5 volts, 14.2-14.3 most common. My guess is that the voltage drop under load happens more when running at lower RPMs, such as 1300 and below.
If I find that it can handle the load well, I may turn the voltage down to get more amperage at idle.
Today
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