Converter questions-non elect. guy

[Bass-by-you]

I have a 1984 model cuddy cabin. Just acquired this summer. I have been refurbishing during the last few months. On the cabin wall is an elec. panel. There are 2 rows of of swithes. Top swith on one side is main for 120 volt shore power. Top switch on the other row is 12 volt main. On the 120 volt side is a switch labeled "converter". I have removed the panel from the wall to take a look. Questions:

1. Is a converter not a "boxy" item located at a position other than the immediate wiring of the panel?. Should I be looking for an elec. device somewhere else that this switch goes to?
2. Isn't a converter the opposite of an inverter? That is to say, if the shore power is plugged in, shouldn't I get pwer to the 12 volt side. I only seem to get power to the 12 volt side if I have the main battery switch turned to one of the main batteries.
3. If the converter is working and I have plugged into shore power, should I not be able to run my 12 volt systems as well as charge one or both of my batteries?
4. How do I test a converter to determine if A: it is getting power to it, and B: if it is putting out 12 volt power (if that is what it is supposed to do?)?

I apologize for the ignorance....this is just not my area of expertise.

Thanks guys

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Converter questions-non elect. guy

If it is not your area of expertise then you should probably let a qualified tech work on the system. 120 volts ac can kill you so for the safety of you and your guests, make darned sure you understand what you are doing. But since you asked, 120 volts AC comes into that panel from the shore connection. Start checking at the source with a multi-tester capable of measuring AC and DC voltages. If you have ac power "into" the panel, check the "output or load side" of the switchs for the converter as well as the one for the ac circuits. As for the converter itself, it is essentially a battery charger which may be a separate unit or it may be built into the panel. It will, as a minimum have a transformer which should be fairly obvious. 120 ac goes into that box/unit and 12 volts dc comes out. The connection will go to the house/starting batteries which is where your 12 volt accessories are fed from. The simple answer to your question though, is yes -- you can operate 12 volt accessories when on shore power. They still get power from the batteries but the batteries are being charged at the same time by the converter (provided of course that it is actually working and properly connected).

 

[Bass-by-you]

Re: Converter questions-non elect. guy

Thanks.....think I'll take it to the shop.