Anyone point me to a 12V DC to 12V AC inverter schematic?

[menace]

I've tried googling but didn't have any success.  Just looking for a simple circuit that I can make for a project I'm working on.

[ChadTower]

I bet you could get an off the shelf converter easily.

[c64rulez]

I'm not allowed to get anywhere near numbers with V attached to them unless they're under a hood.

[Harry Potter]

So you finally figured out the whole fork -> Power socket -> ZZZZZZZZzzzzaaaaaPPPPP!

[c64rulez]

Nope. only the ZAP

[JCL]

How much current?
What does the output waveform need to look like?

Several options

1) Get a DC-AC converter (inverter) for 12vdc - 120vac. Step the output down with a transformer to 12vac (10-1 ratio transformer). Make sure to hook up transformer correctly as you don't want to accidently generate 1200 volts.

2) Start with same inverter, hack it to output 12vac. Probably not too hard, depends on output circuitry of inverter. May be as simple as removing a transformer and replacing it with a different one or even simpler. Hack depends on exactly how output voltage of inverter is created.

3) For a really crude, low current, lousy output waveform, but low part count solution, wire a 555 timer to oscillate at 60Hz and 50% duty cycle. Capacitively couple the output to the thing that needs the AC voltage. Not a recommended solution if you don't know what you're doing.


I would recommend 1, then 2, then 3, but 3 only if you really know what you are doing. Idea 1 is easiest and least likely to screw things up (MAKE SURE TO WIRE THE TRANSFORMER CORRECTLY!).

[missioncontrol]

Nope. only the ZAP

but it wasn'r a fork

[menace]

1) Get a DC-AC converter (inverter) for 12vdc - 120vac. Step the output down with a transformer to 12vac (10-1 ratio transformer). Make sure to hook up transformer correctly as you don't want to accidently generate 1200 volts.

Looks like this is the avenue I'm going to go down.  I haven't found anything that will do a straight dc to ac conversion without bringing it up to 120VAC first--I will investigate the transformer substitution as well.

thanks!

[ChadTower]

Dude, 1200v would be awesome.

If you loop that enough times you might be able to get 1.21jigawatts.

[JCL]

Awsome for a few seconds until the insulation breaks down. If you really want high voltage, use a transformer rated for it. I think flyback transformers from CRTs are good for this stuff (ie. making Jacob's Ladders, etc).