Hey everyone! I'm setting up a workspace for my electronics projects and have a 12V 10A switching power supply that splits into ten fuse-protected lines. I initially planned for this, but I mistakenly ordered another 12V supply that's rated for 20A instead of the 24V supply I needed for some motors.
I'm curious if there's a way to connect these two power supplies in series to achieve 24V while still maintaining the functionality of the 12V lines. Specifically, can I use both supplies simultaneously without risking damage? Would I need to add a diode to protect the 12V lines, or could I install a toggle switch to select between 12V and 24V?
This hobby is new to me, but I'm eager to learn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Also, I have a quick bonus question: if I want to power an Arduino with this setup, what's the best method to do so? Should I use a buck converter to step down from 12V to 9V, or is it better to set up a USB port for that? Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
Connecting power supplies in series is tricky! Generally, if the supplies share a ground, like typical switchers do, attempting this could short out your circuits. For your Arduino, many models have built-in voltage regulation, which typically allows for a range of inputs. If yours doesn't, think about using a step-down voltage regulator; a switching type is often more efficient than a linear one!
It really depends on whether your power supplies are isolated. If they are, connecting them in series for 24V could work with some caveats about the loads being isolated too. Just remember that the total power output you can draw will be limited by the lower-rated supply, so keep an eye on that! As for the Arduino, you might want to hook it up via a USB port, but ensure your setup can handle the voltage drop if doing it that way!
You're right about the grounding issue! If they're isolated supplies, you *can* connect them in series. Most supplies have isolation for safety, allowing for some cool configurations. Just watch out for how you're powering your loads!