Can I Power A Converter Off An Inverter In My Camper?

Published 02/17/2026

Question:

Can I run the WFCO converter off my sine wave inverter? in travel trailer

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

Hey Dave.

A converter like # WF58FR 45A turns AC power into DC power to charge your batteries and run 12V loads. An inverter does the opposite - it turns battery DC power into 120V AC.

If you plug a converter into an inverter that’s powered by the same battery bank, you’re basically creating a loop: battery to inverter to converter to battery. That wastes energy and doesn’t accomplish anything . I would not ever do this.

Now if you were actually wondering if a converter and inverter can play nicely together in the same electrical system, the answer is usually yes. A converter can be set up to charge the batteries and 12v dc loads from shore power. Then an inverter can be hooked to the batteries to pull dc 12v power and change it to AC power for electrical outlets when off-grid and not on shore power.

So they can be used together in a way, but they have different purposes and are not used to power each other in a useless loop of energy, if that makes sense. What exactly are you trying to do, Dave?

expert reply by: Andrew N

Dave

2/17/2026

Ok thanks for clearing that up. I honestly am new to all this so I apologize for the silly question. I think I was asking if an RV / travel trailer can have both at the same time.

Andrew N.

2/17/2026

@Dave No worries at all, you don't have to apologize for asking. And yes, it CAN have both. A lot of times the converter will be a section inside the power center, so you can check if you have that. If you let me know what trailer you have, I can probably get a good idea what's in it.