Converting 1500W 120VAC Space Heater to 48VDC: Resistance and Current Calculations

The discussion addresses converting a 1500W 120VAC space heater to operate on a 48VDC system, focusing on resistance, current, and power calculations. The original heater has a resistance of approximately 9.6 ohms, drawing 12.5A at 120VAC for 1500W output. Applying 48VDC directly to the same element results in a lower current (~5A) and significantly reduced power (~240W), not the intended 1500W. To achieve 1500W at 48V, the heating element resistance must be reduced to about 1.5 ohms, which could theoretically be done by dividing the element into multiple parallel segments, though this may be impractical depending on the heater type (e.g., IR heaters with coiled wire in glass tubes). The fan motor in the heater, typically designed for AC, will not operate on DC and requires replacement with a DC-compatible motor or elimination if using fanless IR heaters. Alternative solutions include using multiple 12V 150W car heaters wired in series to approximate 48V and achieve around 600W, which may be sufficient for a golf cart heater application. Commercial 48V heaters exist but are costly and often lower wattage (~480-500W). The internal resistance of nichrome wire varies with temperature and voltage, but this effect is minor in practical terms. Battery capacity and current draw at 48V (potentially over 30A for 1500W) are critical considerations for golf cart applications. Experimentation with a cheap 120VAC heater powered at 48VDC is planned to observe real-world performance.
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