Power converter questions (but no problems)..

[Tyreguy]

Ok...our pop-up has a 12v converter. I've read in the the owners manual about its basic functions. It seems its only there to power 12v interior lights (we only have two) and the LPG detector. Our camper has no 12v battery or any connections for a battery- unless they're hidden behind the converter (which I haven't removed the cabinet to look at yet.)

My questions are- does the converter work both ways (110v to 12v and vice versa?) If I hook up a battery, and there is no 'shore power', will the converter provide (limited) ac power?

[David472]

The converter only works to change 110 volts AC to 12 volts DC.

To go the other way, and change 12 volts DC to 110 volts AC requires a totaly different electronic circuit, called an inverter.

[Terry]

Hey Tyreguy - Welcome!

What make/model/year trailer do you have? Do you have electric brakes and and breakaway switch? If so, then you must have a battery for them to operate properly if the trailer were to become disconnected. It would not be behind the converter. It is usually located on the tongue and would be somewhere vented since you do not want to charge a standard deep cycle inside a camper.

If you rarely camp without 120v power, then most folks can get buy with a simple inverter to power a TV or something small on occasion. Powering larger appliances such as a micro would require a much larger bank of batteries and a more elaborate setup.