Convert 120V to 12V
I Just got a macerator to empty tanks at home and am a bit stumped on powering it. I know I can pull right off the battery but am wanting to run it off my house/shore power. Reasons being I have two...
Forum Discussion
I get a little nervous when you claim electrical expertise but don't understand a transformer doesn't convert AC to DC. But anyway...
Looking online most units seem to draw about 20amps (confirm before starting).
Simple solution: Pick up a set of jumper cables long enough to reach from the RV battery or even your truck battery. Attach alligator clips to the leads from the pump motor.
When you use it, connect the alligator clips to one end of the jumper cable and connect the jumper cables to the battery. Quick and easy. Nice thing about jumper cables is even with pretty long distance, 20amps is nothing and they come with easy clamp on connectors for the battery terminals. You could make your own up with smaller wires but if you go with small wires, you have to check voltage drop to make sure the wires can handle the amps.
You could do the same thing with one of the emergency jump start boxes to allow you to shorten the length. Plus you have a jump start backup.
A converter or large battery charger could work but seems kind of complicated for what you are trying to do. If you do go this route, make sure the battery charger doesn't need a battery in the loop. I have a little 6amp one that checks the battery voltage before starting. If you just connect the leads in a circuit, it doesn't do anything.
Looking online most units seem to draw about 20amps (confirm before starting).
Simple solution: Pick up a set of jumper cables long enough to reach from the RV battery or even your truck battery. Attach alligator clips to the leads from the pump motor.
When you use it, connect the alligator clips to one end of the jumper cable and connect the jumper cables to the battery. Quick and easy. Nice thing about jumper cables is even with pretty long distance, 20amps is nothing and they come with easy clamp on connectors for the battery terminals. You could make your own up with smaller wires but if you go with small wires, you have to check voltage drop to make sure the wires can handle the amps.
You could do the same thing with one of the emergency jump start boxes to allow you to shorten the length. Plus you have a jump start backup.
A converter or large battery charger could work but seems kind of complicated for what you are trying to do. If you do go this route, make sure the battery charger doesn't need a battery in the loop. I have a little 6amp one that checks the battery voltage before starting. If you just connect the leads in a circuit, it doesn't do anything.
