Inverters Why ??

trail-explorer wrote:

JCR-1 wrote:
Why not use 12 volts for your camper. 12v items are more and more available today . Microwaves, a/c , will require a generator /or shore power anyway. TV 's are 12 volt, lighting and most everything else is either rechargeable or battery powered . Nice to have a small portable inverter(12v : 120v) on board for occasional need but wiring in a large capacity inverter is unnecessary for most camping requirements. Inverters are not efficient so why not just use a 12 volt appliances ??

With an onboard built in inverter, you can also have an intelligent 3 stage charger instead of a "dumb" charger (converter) that RV manufacturers install.

Actually, that is not true.

The "converter/dumb charger" as you call it now days ARE MULTI STAGE "smart" chargers. Since around the 1990s RV converters changed over from the old school "linear" transformer/diode based unregulated chargers to switching supplies which offers more than one voltage stage.

Granted the ones that the RV manufacturers choose is often low quality but they are non the less multi stage charging.

You are talking about a "converter/inverter" which combines 120V to 12V charging with a 12V to 120V inverter in a single box.

Not all RVs are equipped with a converter/inverter and it is not necessary to install one to gain multi stage charging.

You CAN simply add an inverter to your existing RV if you want 120V.

Several downsides to the all in box, if one part fails the unit is toast.. IE the converter part fails you are faced with replacing a working inverter if you want to stay with a combo unit.. Makes for an expensive replacement.

They COST MORE than a separate converter and inverter.