Questions from an electronically challenged Bambi owner

[PDXMike]

I am really dumb when it comes to electronic power terminology and components and as a AS owner I feel I need to know this stuff so if anyone is willing to indulge me and answer these questions in simple, easy-to-understand terms:

1) What is an inverter and what does it do? Is there one on my 2018 16' Bambi? For those who say never turn it on when boondocking - how do I make sure it's turned off? Where is it?

2) What is a converter and what does it do? Is there one on my AS?

3) What is 12V DC? Are there any 12V DC outlets on my AS?

4) Do the USB ports on my AS work even when I'm not hooked up to shore power? If they do though, it sounds like I shouldn't use them when boondocking because they will draw the batteries (2 6V AMGs) down quickly?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the dumb questions.

[DKB_SATX]

1) Inverter: Produces alternating current from direct current (in this context, uses 12V DC to produce 120V AC). I'm not sure if they're standard on a Bambi. My inverter has a switch near the tank level meters that has an LED that lights up when it's on.

2) Converter (actually converter-charger): This is a device that, when your trailer is plugged into shore power, provides 12V DC for various functions in the trailer and charges your batteries. Your trailer definitely has one of these.

3) 12V DC is the voltage that comes directly off of automotive and deep-cycle batteries. From the setup you describe, your 2 6V AGM batteries are wired in series so the voltage is additive. The battery bank produces 12V DC. It's what runs the lights, water pump, vent fans and a few other things in your trailer, as well as powers the USB outlets which downconvert it to 5V DC for USB-powered stuff. New Airstreams don't come from the factory with 12V outlets but these can be added.

4) the USB outlets in your trailer are active any time you have the battery switch in "Use" or are plugged into shore power. If you need to charge your phone, charge it but of course there's no such thing as a free lunch... it costs some battery power from the trailer batteries to charge up your phone/iPad/headset/etc. when you're boondocking, but that's one of the things that battery capacity is available for.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by PDXMike

I am really dumb when it comes to electronic power terminology and components and as a AS owner I feel I need to know this stuff so if anyone is willing to indulge me and answer these questions in simple, easy-to-understand terms:



1) What is an inverter and what does it do? Is there one on my 2018 16' Bambi? For those who say never turn it on when boondocking - how do I make sure it's turned off? Where is it?



2) What is a converter and what does it do? Is there one on my AS?



3) What is 12V DC? Are there any 12V DC outlets on my AS?



4) Do the USB ports on my AS work even when I'm not hooked up to shore power? If they do though, it sounds like I shouldn't use them when boondocking because they will draw the batteries (2 6V AMGs) down quickly?



Thanks in advance and sorry for the dumb questions.

1a. An inverter takes 12v DC power from your batteries (or battery) and makes 120v power to do useful things like allow your TV to work when you are not plugged in.

1b. I don't know but most late model airstreams have one. If you have one from the factory you will have designated 120v outlets in your trailer with a blue sticker that says "inverter" or something like that. There would be one next to where your TV is mounted.

1c. per above the purpose of an inverter is to give you 120v power to certain outlets when Boondocking - this is when you want to use it. That being said leaving it on all the time with nothing connected to it will drain your batteries so if you are not using the TV, coffee pot or what have you, yes you should turn it off. If Airstream installed on there is typically a grey button on the wall with a green light somewhere to turn it on/off.

2a. When you are plugged into shore power at a campsite or home, a converter takes 120v power and makes 12v power to charge your batteries and run 12v items like the lights.

2b. Yes you have one. It’s hidden away in your power center under you fridge or somewhere like that

3a. 12v DC is the power produced by your battery or batteries. It is used to run lights in your trailer and other useful things that are not 120v powered.

3b. There may be 12v outlets in your trailer - these would look like good 'ol fashion cigarette lighter ports.. round and you can stick things in them just like in your car.

4a. Yes - your USB ports use 12v DC power from your batteries and work when not plugged into shore power.

4b. No - 12v USB ports do not run down your batteries quickly. very very small drain on your batteries. Other things like your furnace, the fridge, propane detector and radio will run down your battery... but the energy used 12v USB outlets is a rounding error unless you plug in 27 iPads all at once and leave them connected all day[emoji4]