converter need

[norm's tear drop]

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject: converter question

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First question is what does the converter do and why do you neeed it
after reading a little article in here called the 12 volt side of life im lost and wonder why i need the converter why dont i just get a good three stage battery tender/charger do you need the converter because it offers fuse protection and has circut breaker in it That is what im thinking can someone tell me im ready to buy these things and am on hold as to what i need so please some one tell me why you need a converter

thanks norm

[madjack]

Norm, if you don't want it, you don't need it...I use a http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery-te ... arger.html over my battery...it is a mighty fine set up that many here have used... a converter...by definition...converts 120vac to 12vdc in a stable and clean manner for the powering of 12vdc consumer electronics...these units provide a fuse block to distribute 12vdc power, as well as circuit breakers for the distribution of 120vac power...in addition, they provide a circuit(usually, at least a 3 stage circuit to charge the battery...all of this is in one relatively compact package and are used by the RV industry to handle all their power/distribution needs...with a charger/battery setup, you will have to build a distribution setup yourself..........
madjack

[norm's tear drop]

Thanks Madjack

i thought i was going in the right direction with my thinking just wanted to make sure before spending my $

Norm

[2bits]

The converter is important for me as I have stuff that requires 110v that a 12v to 110v power inverter just can't handle (like air conditioning) and I wanted it to look nice with plugs n stuff too. So since I have to have 110v plugged in anyway, and I am also not adding the battery right now, that will be my only power source until I add the battery and battery tender, and thus I need the converter.

If you're putting the battery in now, then I guess it all depends on how much juice you will use on any given trip, but if you have the tender, then it could be charging at the same time if you are at a campsite. If I didn't have something that required 110v I probably wouldn't have it at all and just an extension cord for those 110v moments.

There are so many choices when it comes to electrical, which leads you to the choices of what kinds of light fixtures and appliances and goodies you will outfit your rig too with, depending on what kind of camping you will do. Makes yer head hurt (mine anyway) because it's not like you just do what you want to do, because first you have to figure out what it is you want at all! Good luck and have fun with it !

[madjack]

...one thing I didn't mention about converters, which I should have is the fact that with a conveter, you DO NOT NEED A BATTERY to power your 12vdc fixtures/appliances...the converter will do that for you............
madjack

[Micro469]

...one thing I didn't mention about converters, which I should have is the fact that with a conveter, you DO NOT NEED A BATTERY to power your 12vdc fixtures/appliances...the converter will do that for you............
madjack

Yeah but, only when there's shore power around......

[madjack]

...one thing I didn't mention about converters, which I should have is the fact that with a conveter, you DO NOT NEED A BATTERY to power your 12vdc fixtures/appliances...the converter will do that for you............
madjack

Yeah but, only when there's shore power around......

UH HUH, that too!!! ......................................................

[norm's tear drop]

Yes thanks for the info i think im going with battery and a battery tender and not the converter

i was wondering if any body has a shore power (INLET) website ? to find one those things arent cheap i found one at northern tool but it dosent had a cover lid like i would like to have it is 20 bucks but the lid thing i cant live with out also keep loosing on ebay so im looking
was thinking of useing a blank cover that a cord slides thru but it isnt the fixed outlet i wanted those things are pretty cheap on my pocket book i cant seem to find a reasonable price for one people are wanting 60,70 ,80 bucks for those things i just cant bring myself to pay that for it
help

[madjack]

Norm, the marine section of Academy or Wal Mart usually have what are caller "motor base plug" or "onboard battery charger inlets"...these are similar to what most of us use and should cost under 15bux...an online source for the same is waytekwire for about the same plus shipping.....
madjack

[bbarry]

Here was my solution to expensive power inlets:

I did something a little unique with my shore power cable. Since the RV load center I got from Doug Stukey had a good cable on it, I decided to use it rather than cut a hole in the side of the trailer for a $50 RV plug. Instead, I just ran the cable out the bottom of the floor. That's the black cable (and ground) running out of the bottom of the load box.



From there, it travels over to the side of the trailer and through a grommet into a .50 caliber ammunition box. I chose this because it seals up tight and latches closed well. The rest of the 20+ feet of cable coils nicely inside the box. When we get to the campground, I just have to open the box and pull out the cable.





I painted it black to match the frame and (eventual) fenders. It's visible for sure, but doesn't detract from the overall appearance of the trailer.

Brad

[wlooper89]

If you decide to go the converter route, you might want to check out the WFCO 8725. It is just over $100 and is three stage. It draws about 4 A AC max and puts out 25 A DC. It can power the trailer and charge the battery at the same time. It has built in slots for two circuit breakers and also a DC fuse panel. That saves a few dollars over mounting them separately.

Bill

[norm's tear drop]

wlooper89


can you tell me more on the 2 ac breakers and also what powers the converter meanning what size amp does it take to run maybe i dont need a 30 amp inlet just a fake inlet box to let a power cord to run through

norm

[wlooper89]

Yes, that is just 4 A of a 20 A inlet. So there would be 16 A remaining for things in the trailer. Also the converter would not draw 4 A AC unless the battery is depleted.

Regarding the two circuit breaker slots, I used a 30 A power inlet and then split into two 20 A circuits to power the converter and to things in the trailer. I believe most people use a 20 A power inlet and in that case a single 20 A breaker would be fine.

Bill

[2bits]

Brad

Another nice idea to ponder!

[norm's tear drop]

wlooper89


You seem to have a background in electricity from you post and photos of your electric system. im having an ac unit of 5000 btu (small unit ) a flat screen tv 19 inch and a box with 4 recepticles, thats all the things i will be powering with ac i understand the dc side of things but not to well on the ac side what will i need from inlet to converter(inlet size,panel box ,etc

also does the converter plug in or do you hard wire that from a panel box or somthing i plan to hard wire the ac unit and tv as well or should i plug them in to a recepticle Man Thanks Norm