120V to 12V Converter?

[shawkins]

Hello all, my grandfather gave me this 120V to 12V converter out of his motor coach when he replaced it with a bigger unit about a year ago. It is a 60 amp unit I believe. Would it be worth it t wire it into my electrical system so that when I am camped near a 120V source, I could just "plug" my vehicle so I could charge my batteries and not use their power? Seems like it would work to me, but you guys are the pros at this and I am just a 16 y.o. NooB!

Thanks!

 

[Pskhaat]

It'd be worth hooking it up to your system, however I wouldn't personally charge a battery with 60 amps. You need <2amps for a trickle & top-off charger at 12v for charge, anything more may degrade battery life.

However, if you have a 12v fridge, a few 12v lights, playing the stereo, a battery to get charged, etc, it would cerrtainly be useful.

 

[Scott Brady]

I have a 3 amp trickle/charger hooked into my aux. battery. I can charge the battery and run the fridge at the same time. Great for getting ready for a trip.

How much does the 60amp unit weigh?

 

[shawkins]

Its around 10lbs. im guessing? The unit is a "Todd Engineering: 75amp Its around 16"L x 8"W x 4"H. Im thinking it works probably like an alternator?

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2028
- A review I found of it.

 

[shawkins]

Ok, I just did some quick research and "Todd Engineering" closed down and "Iota" took over their stuff. The Iota units are from what I have read so far "well respected" so this Todd unit sould be ok, if its of any use to me that is