This is an old revision of the document!
A converter has handles power and charging needs when connected to shore power:
For turning 12v into 110v see Inverters.
OEM converters generally do a good job of providing 12v to the house. They can do this even if the battery is absent or dead. All the RVer has to check is if the converter Amperage rating is sufficient for present needs.
OEM converters are notoriously cheap and dumb (lacking smart charging functions). They either undercharge or overcharge, and both cases can damage lead-acid batteries (batterycide).
Three converter makers are generally respected on the CRVL forum. In alphabetical order:
Although WFCO converter upgrades are most often seen on youtube, the videos might best be used for install walkthroughs rather than product choice.
SternWake says he leans toward Progressive Dynamics “for the ability to choose stages, holding 14.4 for 4 hours at the press of a button”1)
It is possible to build a DIY converter from a power supply and MPPT charge controller. The benefits are lower cost and greater configurability.