Help needed: getting 24v from a 12v vehicle

[Jay G.]

Ok, here's the project - Years ago, our Rescue Co. was donated a polaroid camera for use on our ambulance. We take pics of scenes and show them to the hospitals. It has been very helpful over the years. We now were given a digital camera with printer to match. It works off 24vdc at 1.8 amps. I need to get 24vdc at 1.8 amps from the 12v system on the ambulance. NO, 120v is no good because when the ambulance is out on the road, we also need the 24v power. Any ideas??

Thanks!

[SafetyLighting]

I'm not understanding why 120 volts won't work. I read about the rig being on the road, I'm just not comprehending what you are trying to explain about it.

[jhooten]

http://zahninc.com/su1.html

[tvsjr]

One of two options:

Run a small inverter, then plug in the included wall wart. This may generate some RF hash, and it's inefficient (12VDC --> 110VAC --> 24VDC). Make sure the inverter is switched with battery master - you don't want to end up with a stranded bus.

Run a switch-mode DC-DC converter, available from Mouser, Digikey, and others. You still have some RF hash possibilities, but you don't have as much inefficiency.

[NCSHP311]

there should be an inverter on the bus I'm not understanding this either.