120 volts versus 12 volt.

please read "12 volt Side of Life parts I and II":

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

usually recommended for any newbie to the RV world.

oxygen wrote:
We always hook up to 120 power when camping but wonder if one uses only battery power,is this inverted so one can use 120 recepticles for low wattage appliances? Not sure I understand the difference between converter and inverter.

Researchers ask 3 groups of men: Boxers or Briefs?

The younger men gave one answer
The middle aged men gave another
The seniors: Depends....

Researchers ask 3 groups of Rvers if the 120 volt outlets worked when not on shore/generator power

There were 3 groups of answers
Those who have no inverters: NO
Those who have really big inverters: YES
and those like me who fully understand inverters and have a reasonably size done: DEPENDS

It depends on the outlet (not all are inverter powered) and if you have or do not have an inverter.

In my coach.

Electronics bays, front and rear: Powered
GFCI (including bath, kitchen, dining table and patio) powered
Bedroom bedside: Optional (I have a switch) this circuit also includes the fridge (Why the switch)
Bedroom and dining room wall (near floor) not powered.
Microwave: powered.

Inverter is an after market PROSINE 2000 2KW True Sine Wave. Very nice UPS.

smkettner wrote:
Converter = 120vac --> 12vdc
Inverter = 12vdc ---> 120vac

You probably have only a converter. If you unplug the outlets go dead.
If you always plug in there is no reason to add an inverter.

This.

A converter converts 120VAC to 12VDC.
An inverter inverts 12VDC to 120 VAC.

A 12 watt 120 VAC (0.1 AMP) load IF powered through an inverter would draw about 1 Amp from the 12VDC battery. It is about a 10 to 1 amperage and voltage relationship for the same power.

Converter....converts 120vac to 12vdc
Inverter....inverts 12vdc to 120vac

Yes, your inverter will use the 12vdc battery power to invert it to 120vac. However, this procedure is super inefficient and won't take a whole lot of inverting to drain the battery. So you definitely want to conserve this inversion to a minimum.

When connected to 120vac (or generator), your converter will then convert the AC to DC to power all your lights, pump, fans, etc.

Hope this helps

Ron

Converter = 120vac --> 12vdc
Inverter = 12vdc ---> 120vac

You probably have only a converter. If you unplug the outlets go dead.
If you always plug in there is no reason to add an inverter.