window ac unit...lol
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 4
window ac unit...lol
Ok so I know thissis super ghetto, but I have the following and I'm curious if itll work.
-99 factory non ac truck
-5k btu window unit
-a 2kw continuous power inverter (should be big enough for the ac unit)
Question is, will the alt be good for this setup? Its not a daily, and rarely gets used, its just a work truck for personal hauling etc. But in Florida I cant deal with no air especially in summer. Plus I'm already sweating from whatever I'm working on.
im not interested in spending hundreds to thousands on retrofitting ac, since the truck is just a beater. I dont want to sell it to get anotger, because I'll spend considerably more doing so. I'm building a flat bed on it, so there will be room under the rear window for me to mount it, and I can actually hide it by the headache rack I'm building, so from the outside you wont actually see it. I have buckets inside so the vents will push air right in between the seats (single cab)
since I already have the huge inverter, and the ac unit was like 40 bux, I'm not putting out much cash, and I think it'll work for my needs.
discuss please, lol!
-99 factory non ac truck
-5k btu window unit
-a 2kw continuous power inverter (should be big enough for the ac unit)
Question is, will the alt be good for this setup? Its not a daily, and rarely gets used, its just a work truck for personal hauling etc. But in Florida I cant deal with no air especially in summer. Plus I'm already sweating from whatever I'm working on.
im not interested in spending hundreds to thousands on retrofitting ac, since the truck is just a beater. I dont want to sell it to get anotger, because I'll spend considerably more doing so. I'm building a flat bed on it, so there will be room under the rear window for me to mount it, and I can actually hide it by the headache rack I'm building, so from the outside you wont actually see it. I have buckets inside so the vents will push air right in between the seats (single cab)
since I already have the huge inverter, and the ac unit was like 40 bux, I'm not putting out much cash, and I think it'll work for my needs.
discuss please, lol!
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 4
Haha I probably will here soon. Still working on removing the bed to start my flat bed build as well. I know its probably a cheap ghetto solution but its the cheapest option just to get AC haha
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 566
Likes: 4
starting surge on that inverter may be too much, its close.
You are looking at pulling about 60 amps DC with a 5000 btu unit, so you will need the inverter close to the batteries with the proper wire.
That and the normal truck loads...might shorten your Alt....if it can keep up.
You are looking at pulling about 60 amps DC with a 5000 btu unit, so you will need the inverter close to the batteries with the proper wire.
That and the normal truck loads...might shorten your Alt....if it can keep up.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,152
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Yea definitely going to use some 1/0 wire, what size ANL fuse should I run? I need to check to see what the manufacturer recommends, I believe it was 200A.
so question, should I mount the inverter under the hood, then run a wire (heavy duty extension cord?) From there to the unit behind mt seats? Or would it be better to get a 2nd battery, wire it up right behind my seats, then mount the inverter there, and plug the unit directly to it? The extra battery may help out as well.
so question, should I mount the inverter under the hood, then run a wire (heavy duty extension cord?) From there to the unit behind mt seats? Or would it be better to get a 2nd battery, wire it up right behind my seats, then mount the inverter there, and plug the unit directly to it? The extra battery may help out as well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,454
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Factory alternator will take a dump pretty quickly under the load from a 2K inverter.
Best bet will be a dedicated battery bank to run the inverter with a charging isolator so the battery bank is separated from the rest of the trucks electrical system.
Best bet will be a dedicated battery bank to run the inverter with a charging isolator so the battery bank is separated from the rest of the trucks electrical system.
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From: Western New York State
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Don't limos have a second alternator flipped 180 degrees on the front of the motor with a special bracket? Maybe a high output dedicated alternator would do it? Plenty of junked limos out there to source the bracket. Just google limousine alternator images and you'll see how they are set up.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
Dual alternator. I speak of ambulances because that's where my experiences is, but ambulances draw A LOT of power. Our ambulances have a computer, 3 sirens, a full compliment of bright as heck led lights (even LEDs draw a lot at this quantity and brightness), computer, monitor charger, cordless drill charger (gurney battery) high capacity air compressor (air horns) plus all of our paiemt compartnt electronics. These ambulances are no more than a van chassis and they are very similar to a truck chassis.
Many ambulances have additional AC units as well. As do ours, under the rear compartment with dedicated electric fans.
Many ambulances have additional AC units as well. As do ours, under the rear compartment with dedicated electric fans.