Electrical Guru's, I gotta question:

bevans6 · August 08, 2018, 11:28:49 AM

If you get a free-standing AC unit that has a window frame that vents all air to the condenser coil in and out from the outside (very important) and draws air into and out of the evaporator coil from inside, they can work pretty well. You can get a 6Kbtu unit that doesn't draw much power. If you find one with inverter technology motors, more costly up front but might only draw one or two amps at 120 volts, and no startup surges. 180 amps is not all that big of an alternator - I just put one on my truck. The people to look at for how to buy an alternator and run it with adequate drive belts on your engine are the "Boom thucka thucka" 2,000 watt car stereo guys - they know how to get electrical power out of your engine, they just turn it into sound rather than cool. Remember that factory air conditioning in a typical modern van is around 5 tons - 60Kbtu - so don't expect much until you're parked under a tree with all your sunshades out. I cool most of my house with 4 tons - 48Kbtu...

Chaz · August 08, 2018, 01:35:02 PM

As I said, no window units.

Chaz · October 04, 2018, 11:25:38 AM

Hey Gents,
I guess my idea was a frivolous one. (not uncommon.) But, I am still wanting to put an inverter in it for other uses. I have been looking around and it seems that a "pure sine" is probably the way to go. Any suggestions on good ones? I found this one but, I know Eastwood is proud of their stuff.
https://www.eastwood.com/2000w-pure-sine-wave-power-inverter-w-remote.html?SRCCODE=PLA00020&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9NbdBRCwARIsAPLsnFafIkKJ2dtRSRFohM-ABq9DuO3eARi8-NxrSEjUkYJ754nQlaCVWqwaAkuXEALw_wcB
On another note, I just got a new(er) couch/bed set up. It came out of my friends '14 Phaeton. It will look nice in there.

Thanks again!!
Chaz

thomasinnv · October 04, 2018, 11:45:32 AM

I had a xantrex sw3012 for years, good unit, really liked it. Recently upgraded to a hybrid unit (Magnum MSH3012M with several accessories). I think the magnum beats the xantrex hands down. Very nice unit.

eagle19952 · October 04, 2018, 12:20:08 PM

Quote from: thomasinnv on October 04, 2018, 11:45:32 AM
I had a xantrex sw3012 for years, good unit, really liked it. Recently upgraded to a hybrid unit (Magnum MSH3012M with several accessories). I think the magnum beats the xantrex hands down. Very nice unit.

the one the OP is considering is $200.00

Chaz · October 04, 2018, 12:48:37 PM

Thanks Thomas but, Eagle is correct, I'm not THAT in love with having an inverter in my van.

In my bus, yes. Actually, I have a Xantrex in it (24v model). But in the van, I just want to be able to run some electrical/electronic gear and I understand pure sine is the way we have to do it.
Thanks tho!!!
Chaz

bobofthenorth · October 05, 2018, 09:59:56 AM

The whole sine/pure sine/modified is to a large degree marketing hype. ALL inverters are some form of a stepped wave output. The only way to get a true sine wave output is with a rotating generator. Some electronics simply don't give a damn, some overheat on less than pure sine waves and some blow up. We ran virtually everything we owned on a couple of antique Heart 25s which officially were a "modified sine" output. Literally the only electronics that seemed to care about it was a succession of digitally controlled mattress pads. You'd think we'd have learned but I think we fried three of them over the years. Everything else - fridges, freezers, microwaves, wall warts - didn't seem to care. So my point is that I'd take a careful look at what you plan to run because maybe it won't care either. The other important point to remember is that they make plenty of electronics in 12V versions. If that's an option it may be the best way to go.

Chaz · October 05, 2018, 10:11:08 AM

Thanks Bob!
Good insight.
I try to make the best decision I can but, in these matters, I have to revert to you experts with real world experience.
Thanks!!