converter question

[FWR]

I have a question about using a converter.

I am looking at buying a new house that is wired for 12v and 110v. If I put in a converter I should be able to run all of my 12v and 110v items off the generator at the same time because I am converting AC to DC correct???

Example...I could run the 110v powered ceiling fan, 12v ceiling lights and forced air furnace at the same time using the generator that is hooked up to the converter.

I have never owned a house with 110v wiring before so all of this is new to me.

Let me know if I have this correct or completely wrong.

Thanks for the help.

[cribbageboy]

Without seeing how exactly it is wired, I hate to give a definite answer, but judging from your post, ya you should be fine.

I have both 110, and 12 in my ice house. I have an inverter hooked up to my batteries, and that turns DC into AC for fans and other items. Everything that is 12v just comes straight off the batteries.

[Loon]

The way I have mine wired is the generator brings 110 into the fish house through the outside plug...that juices all the 110 outlets and powers what ever else you want powered "like at home"...

The converter is plugged into one of those outlets and runs all of your 12volt stuff so you can use both at the same time.

Bonus being the 12volt batteries get topped off while the generator is running.

Generator off=converter off/outlets off/12volt on but no longer charging.

Most are confused about the difference between CONverter and INverter.

All that being said: I haven't run my generator in over a month - I just use two deep cycle batteries and rotate them...but I stay local.

[Minnie_sota_Mike]

Good explanation, we do the samething, and use an Inverter (12vdc - 110vac) for the tv and dish when on 12v (no gen running)

[cribbageboy]

I tend to shy away from the word "converter". It really doesn't describe an action in a very detailed way. Inverting turns DC to AC, Rectifying turns AC to DC. In the general sense of "converting" it can mean anything since all it technically describes is the changing of one to another.

Therefore "converting" includes all of the following and some others..

a) inverting: DC to AC

rectifying: AC to DC

c) transforming: High voltage AC to low voltage AC

d) smoothing: Turns varying DC to a "small ripple" output

e) regulating: Sets DC output to a fixed voltage

[FIRECAT]

I've got a 750 watt inverter off the batteries to power a 19 inch flat screen. The inverter has a little fan on it to aid in cooling. The problem is that the fan runs none stop. Very noisy and u really have to crank up the TV to drown it out.

[Minnie_sota_Mike]

I have 400w I also use for the tv,same issue, mine is in closet were it is cool, so I took it apart and added a mini toggle to have the ability to shut fan off. It does not get warm with just the tv and sat. receiver for a load in the cool closet.

[FIRECAT]

I got my inverter pluged into 12V cigerette lighter plug in the wall right behind the TV. Maybe I should stick it down by the batteries. Also noticed the fan seems like it will run more as the battery discharges.Got a noisy Gen. that i don't like to run more than i have to, probably time for a Honda.

[FWR]

Does anybody here use a battery charger to charge the 12v battery while the generator is running? Using this method I should be able to run my 12v and 110v accessories at the same time...Right?

The battery is powering my 12v accessories and charging while the gen is running and the gen is powering my 110v accessories.

If this works what is the point of using an inverter? I talked to a guy today and I was told his inverter fan is very loud and runs constantly. Is the example above a way around using a inverter?

How big of a charger do I use?

Correct me if I am wrong, thanks for the help!

[Loon]

Good question...I battled with that one myself...

It seems to make sense and I believe it does, but every decision I make regarding major purchases comes back to resale.

That's why I went with the converter.

In theory (and in practice...tried it in the driveway) you could run the battery charger off the generator and still use 12v.

I guess if you used too much voltage you wouldn't get ahead of the charging game...unless you were running the battery charger at 15 amps...

I don't know how many watts a battery charger would consume at 2 amps...10 amps...15 amps...

I'm sure there are guys here that do.

I know my converter uses 500 watts...I was thinking a 600 watt inverter plugged into the truck while running with an extension cord to the fish house should run the converter and top the batteries off without the extra cost and excess noise of a generator...

In theory...

An idling truck is a much more affordable and socially acceptable solution to a noisy generator.

My inverter is 400 watts, so I haven't been able to test this theory.

I'm sticking with the deep cycle rotation.

[grasshopper]

I run my Tv and Dish off three batteries. batteries out of my boat. They run every thing including fan for 4 or more hours. I do charge them up with Genrator with TV and dish on.

[grasshopper]

I'm also away from others, so noise is no problem except for me.

[cribbageboy]

Amps= Power/Voltage according to Ohm's Law, so by using 120 watts, you'd be charging at a 10 amp rate.

[cold one sd]

I have a generator to feed my 110v outlets and an on board charger to charge the batteries. This way anytime I use something that requires 110v the battery gets a charge. If I decide to watch a DVD the batteries get a charge. When I use my coffee maker in the morning the batteries get a charge.

[fishinalot]

I would suggest using a power converter over a on board carger. Most on board chargers are only 6-10 amp, and for an extra $50, you can get a 45 amp power converter that will charge the batteries much quicker.

[crappiekid]

i have my house wired 110 and 12 volt

I have a yamaha 2000 generator and 2 good deep cycle batteries.

I bring a battery charger along and run it at night to charge batteries with 15 amp charge. I have a forced air furncace and several 12 volt fans. I have not fried anything and have 30.00 tied up in the charger. I am not a fan of the inverter as most items suck batteries dry fast.

[Eelpout08]

I know my converter uses 500 watts...I was thinking a 600 watt inverter plugged into the truck while running with an extension cord to the fish house should run the converter and top the batteries off without the extra cost and excess noise of a generator...

.

I would skip a couple steps and just get 12v. straight from the truck, because unfortunatly inverters and converters/chargers and not 100% efficient; if it makes heat it is using energy that is not getting sent down the line.

the 7 pin RV style trailer light connectors already have a prong for 12v. accessory, and with the truck running you have voltage from the alternator to charg the batteries. it also works good cause the house gets charged on the way to the lake.

back to the op's question, anything running off the batteries will still run when the batteries are charging, and anything wired for 110ac will have power when the house is plugged in.