How do you handle your bus without a generator and AC

[Satelliteguy]

Just have a question about using your bus if your unit  does not have a generator or any AC units other then the original bus equipment. I recall when I drove a stage coach back a million years ago, when it got hot we would leave the coach run 24 hours a day to help keep it cooled for customers. I do not think that would go over well at a campsite or RV park.

Any input on what some options could be may help.

[dtcerrato]

Unless it gets higher than the low to mid 80s screens on most of the windows with three roof vents open suffices. Otherwise the roof air will come on with the genny or if otr with the inverter is our approach.

[Dave5Cs]

Split unit ac's an inveter and lots of batteries.

[Glennman]

Split unit ac's an inveter and lots of batteries.

Dittos, mini split and batteries.

[luvrbus]

Don't let these guys tell you a 12,000 btu mini split with batteries is going to replace a 64,000 btu AC unit on a bus, it doesn't happen in the real world, I know people with $20,000 worth of Battle Born batteries ,2 inverters,3- 9,000 btu mini splits and solar that fight the heat lol they think they are in heaven in + 100 degrees if they get the temp down to 85 degrees 

[epretot]

Don't let these guys tell you a 12,000 btu mini split with batteries is going to replace a 64,000 btu AC unit on a bus, it doesn't happen in the real world, I know people with $20,000 worth of Battle Born batteries ,2 inverters,3- 9,000 btu mini splits and solar that fight the heat lol they think they in heaven in + 100 degrees if they get the temp down to 85 degrees

Yep. I did a calculation and quickly determined to simply run a 240v mini split unit. No way was solar going to cool the bus sufficiently or economically. It will kill the battery bank.

I have a 10k generator for the air conditioning if I can't get 240. Also, a transformer is probably more affordable than two inverters.

I realize the 120v systems can work, but they're just taking the edge off.

For cold months, I have a wood stove if I can't get 240v.

[lvmci]

I have 3 low profile roof ACs, 15K unit over drivers seat, a 13.5K over the kitchen and a 13.5K over the bedroom with a heatstrip, no heat pump for me. I live in the desert with 100°s throughout the summer and 20s and 30° days in the winter. Propane heater in the living room/kitchen and the bedroom has one of the new Chinese Diesel heaters. Every thing is driven by pole power or my 13.5K diesel generator fed through my diesel engine tank...

[Dave5Cs]

64,000 btu AC unit on a bus Who said they had that?

[luvrbus]

64,000 btu AC unit on a bus Who said they had that?

All  those buses with factory air are 64,000 to 105,000 btu AC and heat and hard as hell to replace. With add on units,factory conversions like Marathon almost all have at least 60,000 BTU on the roof, 3 roof tops on the S&S RV has 45,000 btu

[Jim Blackwood]

I think the DL is 93K btu.

So, first step is to park in the shade. Somehow. Even if it's a suspended tarp.
Next is massive air circulation. If there is no breeze, how about rigging a solar chimney? Shouldn't be that hard to do and they can generate pretty good airflow if done right.
In dry climates a swamp cooler is a bonus, also not too hard to rig. In humid climates park near water and take a dip in the crik. Except in Florida. Gators ya know.

Jim

[CrabbyMilton]

If push comes to shove, you can always find a roadside motel.

[Satelliteguy]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and calculations. So what I think I am hearing is, throw about $15,000.00 worth of generator and AC parts at it would be helpful. "NO MORE HEAT"

To start out who has a nice diesel generator laying around?

I love coming to this forum and reading up on all the items covered by this group, you are some smart Bus people  

[windtrader]

Hello,You've heard some quite large numbers and they may be reasonable for those busnuts who need AC on demand and fully capable in 100 plus days. Before deciding you need $15k to achieve YOUR cooling needs, first establish your use patterns then determine capacity and other cooling specs. Same goes with cold weather conditions and heating requirements and specs.
A few key considerations and factors to include in your calculations are where do you travel? How many days do you expect to be where cooling is required? If you live in northern climates and travel in those zones, you probably do not need much capacity. On the other hand, if you spend many days in Arizona, Texas, or the humid south then you likely need more cooling.

How much cooling depends on a number of factors. How insulated your bus impacts how much cooling is required and the difference can be substantial. How much of the coach needs cooling at the same time? Cooling different parts of the bus at different times impacts how much energy you need on demand. For example, we keep the front cool during the day, then switch to the rear if required later in the day and evening. If we needed to cool the entire bus then that's double the capacity needed.
No pole or generator AC, what about solar? There are numerous working systems running on solar and lithium batteries. Mini-splits consume less energy than regular rooftops. Having a system that powers a single mini-split is quite achievable today and costs are coming down all the time.
My recommendation is to do more research, especially solar/lithium systems, do the work to calculate your energy needs on a daily and hourly basis that will help derive specs for systems that do what you want and need.
I don't know where you live but I'm debating whether to sell off my diesel generator and sub in a smaller portable as a backup when extended low solar days are not able to maintain adequate SOC (state of charge).

[Tedsoldbus]

I was surprised at the flurry of answers. My first question was going to be what do you have? Or are you looking at a bus that has nothing but over the road air?
I have a bus with a big genny and 2 roof airs, but also have a wife that likes to go pole to pole at campgrounds so don't really need a genny. If you are solo in your life, I'd think hard about what Don said as far as where will you be going? Full timing it or a few trips a year? Might not need to spend 15K if you stay away from Yuma in the summer.
So...back to what do you have and what does it have now?

[freds]

My idea which I have yet to implement is to chase 70 degree weather around the country.

Also my solar battery setup is run 30000 BTU of AC four or five hours a day at the most.

I do understand all the AC on the million dollar plus rigs and they will be used in the middle of the summer in the deep humid south.

I was in Brownsville TX to see the SpaceX launch and I was definitely in a RV park drawing shore power and as I was headed home in late May via Wyoming I parked overnight in RV parks to draw shore power to run AC at night.

I did notice the RV parks got more expensive the further north I got...