Hi Folks,
Switch Mode - mmmm? In days gone by I worked on a switch mode device for studio flash. The idea was to run studio flash equipment from car battery - 12v DC to 230v AC at a fairly high amperage. The switch mode converter cost more than the studio flash which in itself was expensive! It was almost as large too! I have no recollection of anyone doing this in reverse - far too expensive. However, in the flash market I have specified many an external power supply (transformer pack) to run DC 6v, 9v and 12v devices from 230/240v AC. Currently most of these come from China and cost (according to quantity of course) pence!
You can now buy relatively inexpensive switch mode devices - I presume largely to obviate miles of extended cable when you want to strim the back end of your garden (you should be so lucky)!
Cheers,
BD.