Troubleshooting a 12-volt DC Problem

[dreamweever]

I am just starting out with a 1997 Dodge B350 'country villa'. This weekend while on battery power, I noticed that the electrical outlets inside the van were not working, even though the lights and water pump were. (could not use computer!!)

When I returned home and plugged my van into an external outlet to recharge the battery, I noticed that now the electrical outlets inside the van worked (but again, not when I disconnected the van from the external outlet).

What's the problem? Why arent the internal outlets working off the van battery???

Josie

[markopolo]

Your lights and pump run off 12 volt DC battery power.

The 120 volt wall type outlets run off 120 volt AC current. To get 120 volt AC power you need to be either: 1: Plugged into electric power, 2: Running a generator, or 3: Using an inverter to give you 120 volts AC from your 12 volt DC batteries.

[Johnny R]

Exactly what MP said. It fooled me at first too.