Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181
Do you have an inverter or a converter? Converter changes 120 v AC to 12 v DC to power all 12 v systems in RV and charges batteries too. They often have fuses or circuit breakers on the outside of the metal box. Search all sides. If you are plugged in to shore power, a multimeter can verify if 120 v is going into the box. Then switch scales and check for 12 v on the output side. (actual voltage could be more like 13.6 v or more)
An inverter is used to convert 12 v DC to 120 v AC when generator or shore power is not going. They don't have 12 v charging capability since the consume 12 v DC.
|
A "converter" will only "charge batteries" if it has "charging circuitry", (which makes it a "converter/charger").
Different RVs have different equipment, (depending on make, model, year, and what has been changed/added).
They will/can have:
1.) A "battery charger", which ONLY charges the batteries.
2.) A "converter", which ONLY converts 120VAC to 12VDC.
3.) A "converter/charger", which converts and charges.
4.) An "inverter", which ONLY converts 12VDC to 120VAC.
5.) An "inverter/converter", which inverts and converts.
6.) An "inverter/charger", which inverts and charges.
7.) An "inverter/converter/charger" which does all three.
8.) Any combination of the 7 listed above.
My coach, for example, (as built by SMC in 1996), has a "Heart Freedom 20 Inverter/Charger", which is a combination inverter, converter, automatic 3 stage battery charger, AND an automatic "transfer switch".
See:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...50723672,d.aWc,
BTW, ONLY my house batteries are charged by my "inverter/charger", (which is often the case on motor homes).
Mel S
'96 Safari Sahara