[JDNovak]

I'll take a shot at an explanation. I usually create more confusion when I try to explain technology simply.

The receptacles in our houses provide about 115 volts AC. This source of power is alternating from positive to negative 60 times per second. When AC is input to a transformer, the output voltage of the transformer is proportional to the ratio of the windings in the transformer. Therefore, a 1:2 ratio will produce roughly twice the voltage out.

This method does not work with Direct current (DC). A transformer winding is virtually a short circuit to DC.

Most people have used an inverter in their car. It takes the 12 volts from the lighter socket and inverts it to 115v AC for your computer or razor or whatever. This is accomplished in the inverter by turning the voltage on and off rapidly and passing that through a transformer with a turns ration that outputs the 120v or so desired.

For FRC, the magic is peformed in the Power distribution Panel. There is an inverter that chops the dc input so it will go through a transformer and then rectify it back to the 24 volts DC required for the CRio and solenoids. The electronic involved also allow the inverter to take a range of voltage in and supply a constant 24v output. For our PDB the input range is like 5 volts to 30 volts. Thank Eric Vanwyck for a hardy design.

I hope something in this helps. There's a lot of AC theory and electronics behind it.