newbie electrically challenged question

FarmerBob wrote:
ok, so whats an adapter ?

Doubles or triples 12 volt outlets, some with USB ports, available at Amazon, Radio Shack, all auto and big box stores:

12 volt duplex adapter

Might be time to go read The 12 Volt Side of Life ;)

ok, so whats an adapter ?

We have 12 volt car chargers for both our laptops and cell phones. Dual outlets on the dash, always on, and a doubling or tripling adapter works for us.

Three months in AK, and two months traveling in a rental MH in NZ and Australia and never a dead battery.

FarmerBob wrote:
So the onboard converter is not to be confused with a inverter. Like I said I am challenged. Thanks for the info

'Converter'......uses a 120V AC input (shore power or generator) and converts it to 12V DC. When connected to AC power source the converter will recharge battery and supply 12V DC system. NO AC power converter is OFF and battery supplies 12V DC system

'Inverter'......uses 12V DC input (from battery) and converts it to 120V AC power. Some inverters will also charge battery when hooked up to AC power source.

Block diagram AC & DC systems with just converter



Block diagram AC & DC systems with converter & inverter

Think of an onboard converter as a "step down" changing 120 AC from a genny or plug in down to 12 volt DC for lights and batt charging
And a inverter as a step UP changing DC from cigarette plugs or battery into 120 AC

So the onboard converter is not to be confused with a inverter. Like I said I am challenged. Thanks for the info

For our Apple devices. I use a cig plug adapter to charge them up.
We also have a small converter 12 volt converter to power the lap top.

I have this Samlex cig lighter plug inverter:
http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=113

It works well. It probably can draw more than the wiring to a typical lighter plug will allow, but I've not blown a fuse by running a small TV, or a laptop, or charging something.

Before that I tried a cheap 85 watt one from Harbor Freight, then another small one I bought on Amazon. They did not work well. I finally bought a good one, even though it cost about a hundred bucks.

Small 150 watt inverter is all you need. Low cost MSW is probably fine however I recommend sine wave such as Go Power. You can plug it into the 12v connector or wire it in to power some/all the outlets.

http://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/b110.html