Hi all. I looked for titles like this, so forgive me if this has been already discussed.<br><br>I was wondering what it would take to convert a mains voltage AC to 12 volts. I mean I figure the motor is used for a compressor right? Plus control electronics. Now I've seen pretty hefty electric motors used in pumps that are reasonably power efficent. So, would it be possible to remove the mains voltage motor and replace it with a 12 volt one? <br><br>I mean I've seen 12 volt pumps, and 12 volt air compressors. So surely it should be possible to make or convert a 12 volt air con?<br>
Converting mains AC to 12v
- Thread starter Romana-S
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Well I have an existing Air Command air conditioner on the roof of my van. It runs on 240 mains voltage. I don't think I'll be plugging in much, and want gto be able to run the air con now and then for cooling. I'll have 600w of solar panels, and some large battery capacity so it would be nice to be able to use some of that to power the air con. <br>I was wondering if anyone has done anything like convert one. Not to be impolite, but I'm not interested in hearing 'it can't be done' from those whohave not tried. I want to know 'it can be done, I've done it, these are the pitfalls, and here's how to do it" from those who have done this. Again, not trying to be impolite. I'm after facts, not opinions.<br>
Hi Lonfu. Thanks heaps for that. I see you know your stuff. I appreciate and respect that.<br>I've got a small bus (and a big bus) http://www.vandwellers.org/mycampervan/bus.htm The AC came with it when I brought it, hence there was no big extra price to pay. It will run off of a standard 10 amp power cable. I think the way to go will probably be to just buy a heavy duty (2000w range) inverter and plug it into that.<br><br>But project number 1 will be getting the new solar panels installed. <br><br>
Most US / American market inverters will put out 120V. I live in Australia, most Australian marker inverters put out 240 V. <br>I just realised I didn't mention that before. I keep thinking everyone knows I live in Australia. I thought the left hand drive of my bus would be a give away. Doh. Sorry. That reminds me never to assume anything.<br><br>Here in Australia, we don't have 50 or even 30 amp cables at caravan parks. We have 10 and 15 amp plugs that use the same plugs that we have at home. <br><br>The park owners here in Australia are less fussy about what they will accept. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> If it has a paying driver, it usually gets in to most parks. <br><br>In Oz, we use 50 hz. <br><br>Yep, I'll be upgrading both the solar and the batteries. I'll have 600w of solar powering 400AH of batteries. Plus an 80AH starter battery. <br>
Ahh, paying for water, you must be kidding. Only in the outback do you have to do that. There are heaps of rest stops where water is free. Plus most service stations will let you fill up free of charge.<br>Yes, Microwaves, and almost everything else is 240 volt. Hookups, well I don't go to many caravan parks. They seem to be haphazard as to what side of the van they are on. What few caravan parks I have visited have a power only hook up that is usually between two sites, or even one power post between 4 sites. No standards here. <br>But yeah, we have had a lot of carvan parks trying to bring in rules to prevent free camping. They arn't succeeding, there are too many grey nomds who whon't put up with that crap.<br>
