How to Convert 12V LED Lights to 120V?

Converting 12 volt DC lights to use domestically is very easy. You can buy power inverters or converters for relatively cheap which take the 12 volts and convert it into 120 volts.

These units are simple to install and you never have to worry about running out of battery power. Inverters and converters are electronic devices that change 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC.

This is a form of power conversion, where the voltage remains constant but the current changes.

Power inverters and converters supply 120 volt AC power from 12 volt DC sources such as a car battery, solar panel, or boat’s motor.

When converting 12 volt DC power to 120 volt AC for a household application, it is often necessary to use a power inverter. Power inverters supply 120 volts from a 12 volt DC source such as a car battery.

Convert 12V DC power to 120V AC power with an automotive power inverter or converter. Use for camping, boating, and tailgating, as well as running power tools and appliances in your garage or basement.

In this post, we will show you how to convert 12v led lights to 120v.

How to convert 12v led lights to 120v – Step by Step Guide

12v batteries are mostly used in flashlights, toys, and consumer electronics. They are portable, lightweight, compact, and easy to use. It is very safe to use too.

But in case you want to convert 12v led lights to 120v AC to use it with standard wall outlets found in homes and business establishments, then you truly need a power inverter.

You need to buy the pieces that you’ll need to convert 12v led lights to 120v. Once you have all these materials available at your place, then you are ready to convert 12v led lights to 120v.

Common Mistakes to avoid when converting 12v led lights to 120v

There are several mistakes that people, who want to convert 12 volt DC power to 120 volts AC power for household use, usually make.

Here is a list of the top mistakes you should avoid:

1. Buying an inverter or converter whose power rating is less than the device’s wattage. One should buy an inverter with a higher wattage compared to what he/she wants to run.

2. Buying an inverter is only capable of supplying 1 amp of power when in fact your device needs more than that amount of amps to function properly.

3. Connecting the inverter or converter backward. You must first connect the positive wire to the inverter’s input terminals and then attach your device’s positive wire (the one with the plus sign) to the other side of it.

Then you need to connect your negative wire (minus sign) from your device or battery to the negative terminal on the inverter.

4. Not connecting the ground wire from your 12-volt device or battery to the inverter. Your 12-volt device must have a ground connection for it to work properly with an AC wall outlet. So make sure that you connect the green wire from your device to one of its’ terminals.

5. Not having the converter or inverter turned on while you’re operating your device. If you don’t want to burn up your machine, make sure that your inverter is powered on before connecting it to any of your 12-volt appliances.
So following these steps will help prevent mistakes and assure you get the right product for your needs.

Tips to Follow While Converting 12v LED Lights to 120V

Tip 1

If you need to power up more than one device, buy an inverter with the highest wattage that is closest to what your devices use.

Tip 2

Use a source of energy that is stable and has no interruptions. Running on batteries will guarantee you continuous service without any interruption.

Tip 3

The best power source for inverters is a solar panel.

Tip 4

Inverters or converters with good surge suppression are good as they help protect your device from sudden changes in voltage.

Tip 5

Certain appliances should not be used on inverter devices such as heating pads, curling irons, and space heaters. These units might be damaged if they are used on an inverter device.

Tip 6

Before you buy any type of inverter or converter, make sure that it is UL listed. This will assure you that the product has gone through several quality tests and is safe for use with your appliances. If you’re not sure about its’ condition, just don’t buy it.

Tip 7

If you need to power up your notebook computer, make sure that the inverter wattage is at least 150 watts. Laptop computers can function on an inverter that has a minimum wattage of 120 volts AC.

Tip 8

If you want to use an inverter with any type of sensitive electronics, choose one with surge suppression and line noise filtering.

Tip 9

Before you even think of connecting your sensitive electronic equipment to an inverter, make sure that it has a pure sine wave output. This feature is very important for appliances with memory boards and disk drives.

It will also prevent the overloading of power strips by making sure that any fluctuations are handled properly.

Final Thoughts!

12-volt devices are very common in homes and business establishments.

But you should know that they cannot be used directly with a standard wall outlet found in most homes without converting it first into an AC voltage of up to 120 volts because the device needs more power than what is usually supplied by a standard 9-volt battery or 12-volt power source.

So if you want to use your 12-volt device like cell phone, laptop computer, MP3 player, and other electronic devices in your home or office, then you must buy the piece that will let you convert it for this purpose.

There are several types of converters for sale in the market, but an inverter is best if you want to convert 12v led lights to 120v.

Frequently Asked Questions