# Converting 12vdc to 48vdc **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2001, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-12vdc-to-48vdc/74819 "2001-08-03T18:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2001, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-12vdc-to-48vdc/74819/21 "2001-08-06T02:03:04Z")
Why are you against going the 12VDC\>110AC\>48DC route? an inverter that can handle 300 watts can be had for around $35 - that’s 25 (rated 30A max) amps at 12v and 6.25A@48v (I know efficency comes into play here). They also recomend hard wiring if you are going to use more then 12 amps. I got this one over 2 years ago so they are most likely cheaper and more powerful by now. Going from 110 av to 48 dc should be a piece of cake. The unit is fairly small (about 1.75x3x5in) and has a automatic cooling fan. If you want to go the motorcycle batts, you might be able to hook up 4 in parall while not in use so they can charge then have a complex switch that would put then is series while in use - most likely more costly then the inverter route. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2001, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-12vdc-to-48vdc/74819/22 "2001-08-07T13:02:18Z")
OK, after reading the posts yesterday I went and checked last night. The rotating beacon has a plate on it that says 48vdc/0.7 amps (not .07, that was a typo), so based on the doubts raised, I’m guessing that the .7A is just for the light. The horn part has no amp rating specified. Supplying 12vdc to the beacon made it make a slight groaning noise, with no visible results. I hope I didn’t injure it. Thank you everyone for your responses. It looks like the inverter is probably the safest, most goof-proof method, so that’s probably what I’ll do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-12vdc-to-48vdc/74819.md?page=1)