a/c hydraulics connected to generator

[chazk]

i have a 72 eagle model 5 bus. the original a/c system motor is gone. i was thinking i could use a generator to operate the a/c system by hooking up the hydraulics to a modified  bracket on a generator.

[chev49]

i think i need a diagram of that.

[Oonrahnjay]

i have a 72 eagle model 5 bus. the original a/c system motor is gone. i was thinking i could use a generator to operate the a/c system by hooking up the hydraulics to a modified  bracket on a generator. 

      Not out of the question but a bus a/c pulls an incredible amount of power (and if it's like the A/C systems that I'm familiar with, the compressor cycles on and off to provide thermostatic control and prevent icing up and every time it cycles the starting loads are pretty large) so you would be looking at a pretty sophisticated clutch and control mechanism.  I'm assuming that you're going to be running your fans off the stock engine alternator so that would reduce some of your power pull but I remember somebody here quoting that on startup with blower fans and condenser fan on high, the stock system can draw up to 60 horsepower off the bus engine.  You'll have to make provision for providing a good percentage of that from your generator.  I'm going to guess that it *can* be done but whether it is practical (and/or worth the development time that one of us would have to put in), is another story.

[pvcces]

I think it is less efficient than electric, as well.

When I used to work with hydraulics, I remember allowing for 33% loss in the hydraulics. That energy is turned into heat in the bus, costing you fuel and increasing the work to keep the coach cool.

You have to figure that each 15-18 hp will cost you a gallon of fuel for each hour the load is present. That comes out of your bottom line while climbing or passing. Do you really want to do that?

Take care.

Tom Caffrey