Basic electrical question

Since you were so quick to pick, let me inform you that most all old truck campers and camp trailers really did have 120 volt interior lites in them, that operated only when plugged in. The first campers I had even had propane lites in them. So 128s post "newer" is correct

SoundGuy wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Actually if it is newer the lights are 12VDC only.

This has nothing to do with whether the trailer is older or "newer", whatever that might mean. Travel trailer interior lighting is 12 vdc and always has been, the exception being some large park model units which are 120 vac, aren't equipped with a battery, and don't have any 12 vdc capability ... but that's not what the OP has so it's therefore irrelevant to this discussion. :R

JFHenne wrote:
I'm assuming that they are always 12V but that is landline power inverted to 12V. Is that right?.

Sort of. They are 12v, but 12v is converted, not inverted.

RV electric 101: 12v side of life.

donn0128 wrote:
Actually if it is newer the lights are 12VDC only.

This has nothing to do with whether the trailer is older or "newer", whatever that might mean. Travel trailer interior lighting is 12 vdc and always has been, the exception being some large park model units which are 120 vac, aren't equipped with a battery, and don't have any 12 vdc capability ... but that's not what the OP has so it's therefore irrelevant to this discussion. :R

JFHenne wrote:
I'm assuming that they are always 12V but that is landline power inverted to 12V. Is that right?

I'm looking for a 12V source to install a radio.

Your interior lights are 12 vdc, power which is supplied either by the battery when not plugged into shore power or by the converter (not inverter) when the trailer is plugged into shore power.

Just pull 12 vdc from any nearby 12 vdc source, a light switch or fan switch for example - just make sure it's before the switch connection, not after ... obviously. ;)

Actually if it is newer the lights are 12VDC only. The converter/charger and/or battery power everything except the microwave, and AC. The refer can cool via gas or 120VAC, but needs 12VDC for control power

That is correct. There is a converter/charger that runs the 12 volt systems and keeps the batteries charged while plugged in.