I don't want an inverter/I just want to be able use my 120v DC to power my home?

Question

So how to I get or better yet build a converter so that the 120v DC output that I have will run my household/cabin? I have a normal 200amp circuit box that the battery pack is connected to and some things seem to work fine but not everything. Even some of my lights work...

Answer 1

Yeah, lights will work fine, they don't care if they run on AC or DC, as long as there's no dimmer in the circuit. Same goes for simple heaters, i.e. with no associated electronics. The minute you try to run something with a transformer in it, though, you're going to have problems. Same with motors - motors are designed to run on either AC or DC, but not both. If you run an AC motor on DC, it'll fry. Any transformer will fry if you run it on DC, too, and almost everything from coffee makers to clock radios has a transformer in it. I don't get your objection to having an inverter - that's really the best option. You're not one of those who thinks alternating current is dangerous, are you?

Answer 2

you can do it ONLY with an inverter. Very few things in a house will operate on DC. Lights are about it. Possibly some older electric heaters.

A converter is an inverter.... sorry....

Take my word (and 30 years of experience) for it, you are stuck.

I'd dump it all. Or rewire for 24 volts and buy a small inverter for a few hundred bucks.

Answer 3

PLEASE don't mess with this stuff until you know what you are doing.  Take a course in Basic Electricity and Electrical Circuits.

You have to have an inverter, and the thing you are calling a "converter" would actually be an inverter.  If you don't understand the difference between AC and DC devices, PUT IT DOWN.  Before you burn yourself to a crisp.

Get someone who knows about these things to help you.

Answer 4

You can get 120VDC to 120VAC converters, but they are expensive. Vicor make them, or you could design your own. This is probably not the best way to tackle your problem, though.

Answer 5

just where the heck are you getting 120VDC from???

10 Car batteries or what????

90% of appliances work on AC.  And even circuit breakers made for AC perform differntly with dc.

All around bad Idea here, unless I am misunderstanding your question...

Most common inverters take 12VDC and convert to 120VAC.  You might run a 12VDCsystem throughout, and use small inverters at each appliance, imnstead of one, very large and very expensive inverter to power everything.

Answer 6

Look up "Delco System"

Answer 7

Most appliances throughout your home runs on AC power not DC power.

Such things as incandescent lights can operate on DC, but items such as TV, Refrigerator, Microwave and other motor related item are designed for AC power.

Resistive element items such as lights and toaster could work off DC.

If what you are saying you are using a DC to AC inverter now, but not everything works, probably because these items don't filter the power properly. You may need a Filter to smooth out the AC waveform from your inverter. Of course this will reduce the working power you get, but it should provide the "Clean" power needed.

Check into a Sola Filter for the power ratings you need.