definition of inverter? why no 120VAC when unplugged from city current?

[WineStream]

Jason, the electrical klutz speaking once again...

Isn't the definition and "job" of an inverter to change battery DC power into 120VAC power (yea, with lots of conversions factors and ratios). Shouldn't one if not all of my 120VAC outlets in the AS have juice to them when I'm disconnected from city / house 120VAC? I figured that I'd at least be able to get an hour of TV / DVD out of the on-board battery and inverter, but when I pull the 120 plug, everything 120 is gone.

Is everyone else's trailer a 12VDC-only trainer when the umbilical is yanked or is it just me?

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by atobols

Jason, the electrical klutz speaking once again...

Isn't the definition and "job" of an inverter to change battery DC power into 120VAC power (yea, with lots of conversions factors and ratios). Shouldn't one if not all of my 120VAC outlets in the AS have juice to them when I'm disconnected from city / house 120VAC? I figured that I'd at least be able to get an hour of TV / DVD out of the on-board battery and inverter, but when I pull the 120 plug, everything 120 is gone.

Is everyone else's trailer a 12VDC-only trainer when the umbilical is yanked or is it just me?

Jason,

You got it, unless someone installed an inverter, only have 12V power when not plugged into a 120V outlet. Your trailer has a convertor which keeps the batteries charged when plugged in.

Bill

[FLYNCLD]

In order to do both, you need an INVERTER, which inverts 12VDC to 120V AC, and a CONVERTER which converts 120VAC to 12VDC. The size of the INVERTER you need depends on how many 120V appliances you wish to run, and how much 12V power (i.e. batteries) you have to work with.

[WineStream]

my bad I guess. I thought the Univolt IS an inverter as well. I looked at it again and I see it says "power supply." I guess I misconstrued that as a 120VAC power supply...apparently not the case, though.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by atobols

Jason, the electrical klutz speaking once again...

Isn't the definition and "job" of an inverter to change battery DC power into 120VAC power (yea, with lots of conversions factors and ratios). Shouldn't one if not all of my 120VAC outlets in the AS have juice to them when I'm disconnected from city / house 120VAC? I figured that I'd at least be able to get an hour of TV / DVD out of the on-board battery and inverter, but when I pull the 120 plug, everything 120 is gone.

Is everyone else's trailer a 12VDC-only trainer when the umbilical is yanked or is it just me?

Trailers come set up from the factory to provide 12 volt power to a few select items ie: furnace blower, fridge, water pump and some lights and special plugs (look like cigarette lighters). It comes with a CONVERTER to convert the 120v power to 12 volts. It DOES NOT come with an INVERTER which goes the other way (12 volt to 120volt) You can install an inverter, however it will not power a 120volt anything for very long on battery power only. The rest of the stuff runs on 120volt ONLY when you are plugged in to shore power.

Aaron

[n2916s]

Atobols,

Try reading this: Inverters by phred

pretty good primer...

mike

[kingfisher24]

any experience in installing an inverter so as to intergrate it into the electric system of coach to allow ALL convience 110 v outlets to become live receptacles using only the 12DC power as supplied by batteries and recharged by solar application or generator or tow vehicle alternator???

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by kingfisher24

any experience in installing an inverter so as to intergrate it into the electric system of coach to allow ALL convience 110 v outlets to become live receptacles using only the 12DC power as supplied by batteries and recharged by solar application or generator or tow vehicle alternator???

Kingfisher24,

Colin Hyde has a method of doing what you want. As I remember, it takes some rewiring and one expensive switch. Email or phone the VAP with your question, as Colin does not check in here very often.

Bill