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Mirageags · 01-22-2013, 05:35 PM

How do i figure out how much the converter draws power-wise in watts or amps to charge battery/s? I want to know the amount of load it puts on our generator. Does this charge load change or stay the same when charging? We have a 2012 jayco swift slx 184bh

TQ60 · 01-22-2013, 08:03 PM

Short answer is convert everything to watts, then you have common unit.

So, your converter us rated at 10 amps, that would be the full output on a dead Battery.

The actual is more, i am using 10 for easy math.

Watts is amps x voltage, so 10 amps x 12 volts is 120 watts, the converter may have some overhead, so factor in another 10 % or so, now you have 132 watts.

As the Battery is charged the amps fall so the watts fall.

You would need to know the charge current and exact voltage to get exact numbers, for general estimate assume full capacity of the converter in amps and 13.5 volts to get maximum load on the generator, it will be less, but you are likely concerned with the capacity that you need.

Stand by...others will add more...

TQ60 · 01-22-2013, 08:07 PM

Yes, the load DOES change as the charge in the Battery changes.

If load on system more than converter then Battery will discharge, if not it will charge the Battery, as Battery is charged it will take less current and the load on the converter will go down

PyrateSilly · 01-23-2013, 06:39 AM

You could install a Tri-metric 2020 or 2025 meter and then you will know exactly at all times what is coming in or going out.

TriMetric Battery System | Bogart Engineering - check prices at different places to make sure you are not paying $100 or more than the next place.

Qwert66 · 01-23-2013, 06:49 AM

Or a Kill-a-Watt meter plugged in to the converter 120v input line for less$.

Gilleshps · 02-23-2013, 01:10 PM

I agree, get a trimetric 2025 and Never wonder again. I just installed one and I finally know how many amps or watts each device draws.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-23-2013, 08:11 PM

Another easy rule of thumb: the 12vdc amps is about 10x the 120vac amps. When dealing with an inverter or converter, add a 10% fudge factor for conversion loss, making the total 11x rather than 10x.