Do they make power inverters that work the opposite way?

[Vic Winters]

We all know about car power inverters that allow you to use your 120V appliances from the 12V in your car. But do they have ones that will allow you to use your 12V appliances from a wall outlet? So you can use things like those 12V cooler boxes or air compressors inside?

 

[Atoz]

You mean a AC to DC converter? That's what those "wall wart" transformers that power your effects pedals or charge your cell phone and iPod are, aren't they?

 

[fenderhutz]

Yes, Radio Shack and some dept stores carry them. I used to use my XM Radio indoors that had the car kit only. I used the adapter into a wall plug. I think I got it at Big Lots.

Here is one for 10 bucks.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1322

 

[Geoff St. Germaine]

I bought a couple at a local Princess Auto. I don't know if you have anything similar where you are, but it's a tool/auto/surplus store. It's one crazy place.

 

[hbarcat]

I believe that there's one built into all of our bass amps and it's called a "transformer".

 

[Vic Winters]

Thanks fenderhutz, that's what I was looking for.

 

[hbarcat]

Just make sure that what you buy is rated for the unit you're trying to power. The rating will be in amps (usually milliamps).

 

[Rattman]

There area "converters and inverters" .. One takes ordinary house current (120AC or 240AC) and converts it into various DC voltages: 1.5VDC, 3VDC, 6VDC, 9VDC, 12VDC, 18VDC, 24VDC .. and then there are "inverters" that do the polar opposite: These devices can be plugged into for example a car lighter, turning 12VDC into regular alternating house current!

 

[Deleted member 79588]

AC to DC = Rectifier
DC to AC = Inverter

 

[aborgman]

AC to DC = Rectifier

More likely to be:

Transformer (or more commonly now a switcher) + rectifier + filter = AC to DC.

The output directly from a rectifier is still pretty AC.