Geek Speak » in reply to Before I ruin something.

A late but very definite NO!

Laurie Street — 11/14/2008 4:23:03 AM (archived)

Most inverters use a "chopper" circuit to generate a square wave 0-12v, then shaping components to get an approximate AC sine wave (the more $$, the closer the shape), then step it up to 120v AC with a transformer. the transformer would work in reverse, but the semiconductors in the rest of the unit would be real unhappy at seeing current coming at them the wrong way. If it's well designed, it would have protection against such things, otherwise there may be some dramatic smoke and possibly even fire, but most likely just a quiet death.

Or simpler:

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The whole thread (17 posts)

• Before I ruin something. - Bowser - 11/10/2008 8:45:32 PM
  • Oh No...Too Late..He did it!!! Bowser!! Bowser!!!! - Jody - 11/15/2008 1:03:45 AM
    • Not this time. I have done some stupid, foolhardy, even dangerous things. But nothing like that! - Bowser - 11/15/2008 4:28:20 AM
  • A late but very definite NO! - Laurie Street - 11/14/2008 4:23:03 AM
    • A bit like gluing pork chops together to make a pig. (n/t) - Bowser - 11/14/2008 7:20:43 PM
  • Maybe this is one for "MythBusters"? - Nick Hoffman - 11/14/2008 12:17:15 AM
  • This has been done, yes... - et - 11/12/2008 5:46:58 PM
    • Oh, wait. Nevermind... - et - 11/12/2008 5:49:36 PM
      • Where were you? - Bowser - 11/13/2008 12:00:47 AM
        • Oh, I was watching.... - et - 11/14/2008 8:00:07 PM
  • I don't change bandages on burn victims. - Eri - 11/11/2008 3:34:43 AM
  • I have no idea how the gizmo does what it does. - alcaray - 11/11/2008 1:27:53 AM
    • Schematic - good thought. Here's one. Thanks to all! - Bowser - 11/11/2008 2:31:24 AM
      • re:You are right, it can not be used that way, unless - Johannes - 11/11/2008 4:28:43 AM
  • No - RNE - 11/10/2008 11:32:14 PM
  • It go BOOOOOOM!!!! - carrl - 11/10/2008 9:59:25 PM
  • I wouldn't. - podrock - 11/10/2008 9:35:15 PM