Portable Air Con unit in a vehicle questions

[MrOizo]

Since reinstalling air con in my work wagon is going to be a mission, does anyone have any recommendations  of a portable unit like some people have in caravans? 
Is there a 12v system? 
I have looked at portable units that require 240v with 3kw - does a inverter need to match this rating? 

Cheers. 

[sark.inc]

An inverter would need to be near double that, as the electric motor can draw up to twice it's operating power when starting.

p.s 3KW i assume it does not have a standard plug? also you would be drawing a LOT of power from the cars electrical system, around 210amps or so.

[MrOizo]

Yeah i guess - we have a second charging circuit for batteries on the trailer - that has 2 x N200 sized deep cycle batteries on it.

What could i use as a AirCon system that didnt have a pump on the engine?

[MrOizo]

Something like this would be ok i guess.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/He ... 164163.htm

I have a inverter on board doing nothing which is 1000W or 2000W - cant remember. Getting a bigger shouldnt be a problem. Something that can run off it would be handy.

[sark.inc]

is it a 24v or 12v system? if it's 24v system it would be around 100amp.
it's either a pump run directly off the engine, or indirectly through an electric motor afaik.


p.s you would need to know the power consumption of that unit first.

[MrOizo]

It's a 12v system. An electric motor driving a pump would be good.

[pureadrenalin]

[Bling]

Jebus

I imagine it's like a fridge in there though haha!

[MrOizo]

Thats an option.

Better than sitting in 35+ deg heat. 97% humidity doesnt help either

[neo]

seems option 1 is to have a chillibin full of icewater and run that though a radiator of which you have air blowing across. Seems like a cheap work around

url doesnt link in the forum -- http://www.instructables.com/id/Portabl ... p-and-easy!


I'm thinking, have a chilli bin fill of ice water somewhere in the back, pump the chilled water to a radiator that has fans attached in the front of the cabin. When the ice melts, stop in at the servo for another bag

Or Option 2 you want to go to a truck wrecker and try to get an after market cab cooler

http://www.corunclima.com/product3_3.htm US Website, from what ive seen your looking around 1k

[cat007]

Something like this would be ok i guess.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/He ... 164163.htm

I have a inverter on board doing nothing which is 1000W or 2000W - cant remember. Getting a bigger shouldnt be a problem. Something that can run off it would be handy.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't most 240v houses wired with 15amp fuses? 4000watt @ 240v = 16.6amps....which would pop the fuse every time you used it?

[Soiled]

Power outlets are normally 20A breakers, lights 10A, and AC is normally on it's own dedicated circuit so can be whatever it needs to be.

[whynot]

a heat pump/aircon that draws 4000w is a rather large unit. from what i remember most domestic units only draw around 700-1000w but you have to allow for the surge on start up

[matt dunn]

Sounds like a shyte idea to me.


1000W is 1000w no matter the voltage.

So 1000w through a 240v inverter is

1000/240 4.16 amps,

cool,

but the inverter drawing from 12V

1000/12 is 83.3 amps.
So your going to need to fit another alternator to run it,

or a large battery for 10 mins of cooling.

Inverters to run anthing large are way to power hungry.

[h8wrxs]

drive with the window open?

[cat007]

Fixed haha

drive fast with the window open?

[MrOizo]

So your going to need to fit another alternator to run it,

Not a major - already have another alternator fitted to power the trailer unit. Its the reason the compressor was removed - to fit another alternator.

I'll go and get a price from some places the next few days if i have time.

[MrOizo]

drive with the window open?

I need to drive and stop every 20m-100m and do testing which takes about 30-45 seconds. in that time things have got damn hot and unbearable.

So not very helpful...

[pureadrenalin]

I got a heater from these guys in Aussie for the race car.
They also make (distribute) stuff for air con systems that are put into kit cars.

http://speedyairspares.com.au/

[ee904age]

drive with the window open?

I need to drive and stop every 20m-100m and do testing which takes about 30-45 seconds. in that time things have got damn hot and unbearable.

So not very helpful...

That situation isnt going to be great with a/c either, seeing as the door will be opened every minute or so letting all the cool air back out. Plus, I dont know about you but I tend to get sick when walking in and out of aircon'd places all the time, something to do with sudden temp changes.