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Step down converter to load cell, current issue? 1

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Dodger6600

Civil/Environmental
May 16, 2012
10
I have a 25000 lb rated load cell that I need to supply with 12Vdc, I have a battery pack that puts out approximately 37Vdc. The resistance in the load cell is 350 Ohms. My concern is that if I step down the battery pack with a converter from the 37Vdc to 12Vdc, what kind of current am I going to be sending to the load cell? My circuit knowledge is prehistoric but will the load cell only draw the current it needs? I don't want to fry the load cell and put my work back 3 months while it gets fixed. I believe I need about 1A and I know that some converters put out 12Vdc with anywhere to 3A-8A.
 
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The load cell will only draw the current it needs based on I = V/R.

xnuke
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Use something like this

to hook up to your 37 some volts. This will provide isolation and step it down to a regulated 12V. Adding a 68 ohm resistor in series will drop it down to 10V. Measure the voltage to calculate correction factor or play around with resistors till you get exactly 10V.
 
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