12 volt to 110 back to 12?

[Lou Park]

I've looked through the forums but can't find any reference to this.
I'm considering running an inverter to get mostly 110 throughout the teardrop. Some lights that get plugged in, are d/c but have their own converter back to 12 volt. This question comes up. Are there any complication for any fixture to be connected this way? In other words, 12 volt power converted to 110 with an inverter, converted back to 12 volt? Since I'm not great at explaining myself I hope I haven't confused anyone.
Lou

[jeep_bluetj]

If your going

12v -> inverter -> 110v -> transformer -> 12v

That's horrifically inefficient.

If you're planning always to have hookups, loose the 12v. If you're planning to camp off your battery, I'd certainly run everything possible (lights, stereo, TV, etc..) off of 12v, and reserve the 110 for microwave/windowshaker, etc..

There's a reason that a billion RV's out there are set up this way, it just makes the most sense.

It's also much easier to run wires for 12v - zipcord works great for lights and stuff. 12v lights are widely available.

(I'm biased: I've NEVER hooked up to 110v, and have an inverter for only one purpose: to run a blender for margaritas. )

[bobhenry]

I've NEVER hooked up to 110v, and have an inverter for only one purpose: to run a blender for margaritas. )

Get some 2 cycle gas and you can ditch the inverter.

[Lou Park]

I have no intention on taking a mircrowave on a camping trip.
Why leave the house? Although I have plans to keep my camper
cool at times, I have no intention on having an a/c hooked up. It's camping, why leave the house? The only good reason I want to have an inverter to go to 110 is that I'm a whole lot more familiar with 110 hookups than 12dc. I'm not going to be hooked up to an extension cord, it will be all battery and solar.
Lou

[jeep_bluetj]

Then you have absolutely no need for 110 at all. Skip it. Skip the inverter, skip it all. It's extra work, extra expense, and you'll end up wasting 70% of your battery into conversion losses.

The concepts of 12v wiring and 110v wiring are pretty much the same - power out (hot in 110v, or +12v) - power back (neutral in 110v, ground in 12v) - load goes inbetween. If you can do 110v wiring and are still alive to tell the tale, you can certainly wire up a 12v trailer

There's a good selection of decent schematics on the board right now - it's good to look how others are running thier stuff.

You'll use automotive fuses and switches, RV style lights (or other, widely available 12v lights), etc. The Taillights and stoplights are connected to the tug, and are not usually connected at all to the trailer electrical systems

Ask about specific wire selection, how to connect, switches, etc.. There's a TON of knowledge on the board about this stuff.

[Guy]

Dear Lou,

Do not worry. Whatever you decide there will be plenty of people who can help you learn what yu are not familiar with.

I you click on SDTripper2' Index above you will find great links to everything imaginable on electrics, both 12v or 110.

Here is the link

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=12276

[Gerdo]

Lou
If you don't have anything that "Needs" 120 vac then ditch the idea of and 120 vac.

Go all 12 volts DC. It is simple. 2 wires to each fixture. Simple car type fuse block and car type fuses. A deep cycle battery.

One thing to think about is how you want to recharge the battery. If you are camping a few days and don't just leave lights on you probably don't need to charge while out. A simple automatic car battery charger will recharge when you get home. Some of us, like me, have an isolated charge line coming thru the trailer conector from the tow vehicle (TV) so the battery is recharging as you drive. Isolation keeps you from draining the TV battery. I still recharge before a trip.

I only have 120 vac for the rare occasion that I need my air conditioner.

[cuyeda]

(I'm biased: I've NEVER hooked up to 110v, and have an inverter for only one purpose: to run a blender for margaritas. )

Sorry, I didn't want to change the direction of the thread, but had to post an item on my wish list. No voltage necessary! Has two speeds.

Bevmo.com on sale $49.99

[Lou Park]

I like that, I wander if you could take the handle of and run
it with a cordless drill?
Lou

[Sonetpro]

http://www.kegfun.com/index.php?main_pa ... 4f84f12ad8