Tired Of Wimpy Auto A/C Units?

[Mike Murrell]

I couldn't resist sharing this.

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1795

It looks good on the surface, but as an Electrical Engineer, my first thought is how much power does this unit require and then with the efficiency loss of the inverter, how much current will this thing draw from the charging system.

The next issue is cooling capacity. I don't think that unit has enough cooling capacity to keep the interior of that truck cool. A car requires as much cooling capacity as a small to medium sized home. A home does not have a gasoline engine producing heat from within. A home also is not moving down the road with ambient air transferring that much more heat into it. A home is usually pretty well insulated without all that glass making a sunroom. I would really like to follow that thread to see if this guy comes back to say that his truck really is cool with that unit.

I remember reading that a car requires about 2 1/2 tons of cooling capacity. A house requires about a ton per 500 square feet. That 110 volt a/c is probably only about a one ton unit or less.

Generally this is what the big rigs are going to, except larger units with adequate capacity. They have a self contained unit that can simply be removed and replaced. Having a hermetically sealed compressor is the big advantage. On a big rig, however, you have no trouble driving an alternator however large you care to use.

Have a great day,

[Mike Murrell]

He had this to say further down in the thread - I believe it was around page 4.


Thanks for the comments, alltogether it was $90 for the A/C, $160 for the power inverter, Yep, Chris, had to get the big one, and $130 for the cable. Maybe another 50 for the incidentals like terminals, cutting wheels etc. And from what I understand I would have to replace the whole dash/heater core box to put an evap in, plus have someone charge it since I don't have the equipment to do that. It doesn't seem to drain the battery too much running. The high amp/wattage inverter was to get the compressor started. The 1000 watt one I bought first wouldn't start the comp. It says on the side of the A/C unit 535 watts so It doesn't pull much when running. I really can't even hear it pull the engine down when starting. It really does need duct work cause it just blows on the seatback and makes my back really cold and then shuts the comp off cause it's just sucking in the cold air it just put out. I think cardboard should do the trick, up the back window and blow out at celing height. It's a short bed so there isn't much frame flex and the hole in the bed is bigger so what little there is should be made up for. It does get cold in there fast for sure. About 5-7 min till it's chilly.
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[puddle_divr]

Now that 4x4 guy is thinking out of the box. I thought his sig line was funny...

'84 toy short bed, stock, 31s custom lexan windshield, due to custom body work, cool shark fin cell phone antenna, plasticote spray paint job. NEW! Window unit in the bed, Cold A/C!!!

Cool shark fin cell phone antenna? Did these get COOL while I was out of town? LOL

[pesuazo]

I am trying to contact that guy. I really want to see his artwork in person.
That is outrageously funny.
I have been laughing for a while now.

[lino]

That's quality! It reminded me of this guy: