How DC/AC Power Inverters Work

Car Gadgets Image Gallery An inverter like this 200-watt unit is easy to use and install. It's very portable, but its best suited for powering small electronic devices. See more pictures of car gadgets.
DC AC Power Inverters

­Everyone uses some kind of electronic gadget while in their motor-home, SUV or car. You might listen to your MP3 player, check for directions on your global positioning system (GPS) or play a portable video game. These types of electronic devices can be recharged or powered by plugging them into the cigarette lighter (or power port) in your vehicle.

But what if you want to use something a little more elaborate while you're on the open road? Maybe you want to make toast, watch an LCD TV, or perhaps even write an article on your laptop computer. These devices plug into regular wall outlets, not cigarette lighters. Making sure your electronic gear gets the juice it needs while on the road isn't a simple matter of finding the right adapter. You need a power inverter.

­Power inverters convert direct current (DC), the power that comes from a car battery, into alternating current (AC), the kind of power supplied to your home and the power larger electronics need to function. What kind of power inverter is the right one for the job? How do you install one? And how exactly does an inverter change the current from one form to another? In this article, we'll explore all the positives and negatives of DC to AC power inverters.

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