If you guys are right about the BCMU, I can tell you for a fact that the
BCM48A puts battery voltage on the load. I have a whole stack of these
things.
------ Original Message ------
From: "Paul McCall" <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: 1/30/2018 1:35:10 PM
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Traco BCM
Actually, the BCMU is the model that takes 12v in and upconverts it to
48V. It charges the battery array (in parallel) to about 13v per
batter. So, why in the world they would design a device that would
upconvert that to anything less than 48v (without load) is just silly.
We have UBNT EP-S16s that will not turn on radios plugged in, if it
gets anything less than 45.5 to 46 volts.
But, even on the BCM-148, (where you run 48v in series, it seems to
have the same design) 45v max output when on battery.
Pretty bizzare
From: Af [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Adam Moffett
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 1:25 PM
To:[email protected]
Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Traco BCM
When running on battery, the load gets battery voltage. The load being
on battery (or charger) voltage seems to be the normal behavior for
these types of systems, so you'd have to really hunt for something that
does it differently.
You can hunt for something with a regulated output, or add a DC-DC
converter inline.
I haven't yet encountered a 48V device that didn't accept the whole
range from "batteries nearly dead" to "bulk charging", so I'm wondering
what that device is that needs >46v.
.....and I'm not a Traco lover. I'm kind of disappointed with it
actually. We must have bought 40 of those kits about 3 years ago, and
we now have 3 faulty BCM modules....they work except they no longer
charge batteries. I also received a whole box of them where the
sticker indicating which pin does what on the BCM was 100% backwards.
By following the sticker rather than the manual I ended up with the
temperature sensor (thermistor) connected to the reset switch. Didn't
break anything, but they units won't turn on that way.
At the time I needed something 48V at a higher wattage than Meanwell's
48V options, and Traco was suggested. I don't think I'd go there
again.
------ Original Message ------
From: "Paul McCall" <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: 1/30/2018 12:59:12 PM
Subject: [AFMUG] Traco BCM
Am I missing something or are the Traco BCM series not very usable in
the real world?
Meaning, the BCMU360 can only put out 45v (for a couple minutes, then
44v and change), when running on the battery. Not very usable with
some gear that requires about 46v to work properly. Add in voltage
drop on a long run and no-go.
I thought maybe the straight BCM 48v series would be better, but they
appear to have the same spec.
I have to think I am missing something or who the heck would they sell
these to? The industry standard is 48v (54v with float) so, outputting
44v sustained seems dumb.
Or is me 😊
Enlighten me please, you Traco lovers
Paul McCall, President
PDMNet, Inc. / Florida Broadband, Inc.
658 Old Dixie Highway
Vero Beach, FL 32962
772-564-6800
[email protected]
www.pdmnet.com
www.floridabroadband.com
