What is a “converter”?
I see it referenced a lot on RV sites and groups, in the context of an electrical system component. I have no idea what it refers to, however. Is this a battery charger, inverter, charge controlle...
Forum Discussion
Kayteg1 wrote:valhalla360 wrote:
As far as the name, you could as easily say an inverter CONVERTS from 12vDC to 120vAC and it's true ....
You can't convert AC from DC.
You have to invent AC current using electronic devices and then you can convert to desired voltage.
Over the years converters went via several designs.
Back in 1980's they would supply 12VAC for RV lights and water pump, when small DC circuit would charge the battery and operate radio.
Then some designs put 12VDC converter parallel to the battery, some disconnects the battery from RV when on converter.
That surprised me lately as 20 yo converter was showing 18V on new digital gauge.
Took few forum experts (not on this forum) to figure out that converting AC with electronic circuit, the voltage spikes high for microsecond, before it levels at ca 12V.
Analog meters will not register it, some digital multimeter will not register it, but cheap meter that come with lighter socket does.
Sure it can. 12vDC goes in one side, is converted to 1120vAC out the other side. Convert and Invert aren't well defined terms and outside of the RV world, you will never hear of a battery charger referred to as a converter.
Went ahead and looked it up. The definitions for converter are all over the place. Some describe what you do that it only converts the voltage but not AC to DC. Others say it also converts AC to DC. Even found one that.
A battery charger doesn't leave the ambiguity.
