Direct current is the sort of power that you get straight out of a battery, and alternating current is the sort that you get out of your wall socket at home. The difference between them might be academic a lot of the time, but if you need to hook up any of a dozen electronic devices that are meant for AC, you can’t just plug them into DC power. Fortunately, if you know that you’re going to have this situation, you can bring a DC to AC converter.
DC to AC Converter
How Does a Converter Work?
DC power tends to be too weak to work with AC devices. Direct current flows in a single direction from the negative terminal through the circuit to the positive terminal. AC will switch up the flow back and forth, often as many as 60 times per second. So what the converter does is mimic this effect, flipping the power flow in a way that a device built to function off of AC power can use while at the same time boosting the flow so that it’s strong enough to provide all the electricity you need.
Different Types of DC to AC Converter
Chances are very good that you’ve already used a DC to AC converter without even thinking about it. Do you have a phone charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car? That’s a converter. Your car battery, which connects to the cigarette lighter outlet is DC current, however the charger is built to use AC for your phone. Therefore the unit alters the current, making sure that a translation happens, giving your phone what it needs from a source it couldn’t otherwise use.
There are a number of these converters out there, and they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. For instance there are device-specific converters, used for a phone, a laptop or for another type of device. There are other converters that simply act as a plug, and you can plug your AC devices straight into it. This sort is used for radios, televisions and other sorts of things you’d find in the home. However, there are also DC to AC converters that are usable with full size generators, which means you have to carefully read the power output the converter can handle.
Uses for a Converter
DC to AC in your car
A DC to AC converter is an indispensible piece of equipment, depending on the situation. For instance, if you’re going camping then you’ll definitely want to bring along a converter to be sure that any and all electronic equipment in camp is good to go. Or alternatively if you’re on a construction site that doesn’t have power run out to it there will be a generator, and a converter will be necessary in order to make sure that all of the saws, drills and other equipment runs properly.
Cost Concerns
Depending on the size of the converter you need and the power it has to handle, you can expect anything from pocket change to several hundred dollars for your converter. The bigger the power source you have to convert, and the more complicated the mechanism has to be, the more you can expect to pay for the converter. The reverse of this is also true though, and if all you need is a small converter for your car then you can expect to pay maybe $20 for what you require.
Where to Get These Converters
DC to AC converters can be found in a variety of different places, depending on your particular needs. For instance if you need a smaller converter for your car you can typically find them at stores that sell electronic accessories. Failing that, stores that specialize in car accessories often have power converters on sale for a variety of battery powers and in different sizes and makes. If you require a larger converter for a generator then you will have to check with hardware stores, or online in order to find the equipment you need.
DC to AC Converter Warnings
Just because you have a DC to AC converter that doesn’t mean that all of your problems are solved. In fact there are many things you need to be aware of. The first is to be sure that you have a firm connection and that your power is off when you hook up the converter. Always follow the unit’s instructions. Always be sure that the converter is meant to be used with the battery size of power amount that you are converting. Lastly, remember that you’re still draining power, and that if you need your battery to start you should use as little power as you need from it.
