My Power Converter is Magic

[OnTheGo]

I put 30 amps in and get 60 amps out. I did a search for the difference between a DC and AC amp, but I don't understand the answers.

[Doug]

That is magic. Maybe you have a transformer :-)

Not sure what to say about that. Our resident electron managers will chime in.

Interested in learning what the explanation is for this magic.

Doug

[Threebutchers]

Originally Posted by Doug

Maybe you have a transformer :-)

BINGO!...through a transformer, voltage is dropped while amperage is increased (at least that's how I remember it)

[RVhiker]

What makes the magic possible is the voltage that drives each amp. Watts is a measurement of work done and equals Amps times Volts.

30 Amps at 120 volts = 3600 Watts.
60 Amps at 12 volts = 720 Watts.

So a converter that makes 60 Amps DC at 12 volts will consume about 720 Watts (excluding conversion losses) or about 6 Amps at 120 volts (6 x 12 = 720). So you're only using 6 of the available 30 Amps at 120 volts to make 60 Amps of DC power at 12 volts.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

I put 30 amps in and get 60 amps out. I did a search for the difference between a DC and AC amp, but I don't understand the answers.

I presume that you mean that it is rated for 30 amps on the 120 volt AC input (seems a bit high) and 60 amps DC (at 12 volts) on the output?

The simple answer is that Power (VA) = Volts x amps.

12 volts DC x 60 amps = 720 volt amps or 720 watts of power.

To get 720 watts of power from a 120 volt AC power source it works out to 6 amps or 120 volts x 6 amps = 720 volt amps.

The higher voltage on the input of your converter needs less amps to do the same work.

That is ignoring many losses and other factors which apply in the real world.

AC power is transmitted over lines on the big transmission towers at voltages like 115 KV (115,000 volts), 230 KV, 345 KV and 750 KV for the very reason that by getting the voltages that high the amps, or current, reduce significantly. To transmit power at the 120 volt AC which you need for use in your home would take very large wire and have significant losses. Just my 2 cents. vic

Edit: I'm a slow typist. What RVHiker said.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

What makes the magic possible is the voltage that drives each amp. Watts is a measurement of work done and equals Amps times Volts.

30 Amps at 120 volts = 3600 Watts.
60 Amps at 12 volts = 720 Watts.

So a converter that makes 60 Amps DC at 12 volts will consume about 720 Watts (excluding conversion losses) or about 6 Amps at 120 volts (6 x 12 = 720). So you're only using 6 of the available 30 Amps at 120 volts to make 60 Amps of DC power at 12 volts.

Thanks for the explanation.

I learned something new tonight :-)

Best regards,
Doug

[OnTheGo]

Thank you RVhiker and VicS1950 for your explanations. An internet search informed me an AC and DC amp were the same because they each moved one electron ... . Which is probably true, but to me that was like saying 30 lbs is the same as 60 lbs, and I know better than that.

After the internet search, I told DW I was going to have to count electrons, which is hard to do because they are so small and really quick. She gave me a strange look.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

... which is hard to do because they are so small and really quick. ...

Yes they are. And they are extremely reliable too.

In my over 40 years of of work as an electrical professional I have never seen an electrical failure. I've dealt with many mechanical failures which prevent the electricity from getting to where needed, or that let it go where it wasn't wanted, but electricity itself will never let you down. It is one of the few constants you can depend upon in life.

vic

[lx22f/c]

Okay you lost me at Magic..... Lol
Sure is nice of everyone to explain this cause i know just enough about electricity to get my rv plugged in.

[norty1]

Yes, if you pay the bill on time!

[eldermike]

If you are trying to define an ampere understand that the actual definition is still under construction today.