Have been looking at a rooftop ac/heater and was wondering if anyone hAs tried this approach using 2 to 4 dedicated batteries and Using the reefer for power/ charging?
Running rooftop ac with reefer
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by bulldog36, Aug 19, 2014.
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You would need a monster alternator to keep up with a RV-style rooftop HVAC unit. I've looked at doing something similar instead of using an APU on my next truck but plan to use a small Yamaha generator instead to power it.
Anyway, I'm not at all familiar with reefer units but I am gonna guess they probably use an alternator similar to what you would find in a TriPac unit which I think by default are 60 amps or you can upgrade to a 120 amp version.
I've looked at the Dometic DuoTherm units which have electric heat as well as providing 13.5k BTU AC. If I remember correctly they draw the most when running the heat which was around 13 amps at 120v AC.
13 amps @ 120v AC = 1560 watts
Now we take 1560 watts and divide by 12.5 volts and that comes to around 125 amps DC.
Of course its not going to be a 100% efficient conversion through the inverter so lets play it safe and say the loss is 20% and that now comes to around 150 amps.
Remember too that you would need a SERIOUS inverter to be able to handle the starting load of the compressor.
If someone made a 200+ amp alternator for the reefer unit I could see it being possible. Use a high quality sine wave inverter and you should be able to power it if you could find an alternator that could keep up.Skate-Board Thanks this. -
Too much weight added and would be problematic beside. Easier to install AP
U and RV Air. -
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Can be Coleman, Duotherm, Dometic or Carrrier. We ahve a Coleman and love it, powered by a Onan, 7.5 diesel Generator and it's 110 V. You can plug in the trucks heat, put aceramic heater in the cab and it adds 475 lb to the truck.
SMTatham Thanks this. -
Rather than roof top I would prefer a split unit where the pump is out side and the cool/heat unit is inside ,less chance of a roof leak and less ugly tall thing ect , could put the pump out on the back porch , but like was said the power to run it is the thing , I have a similar set up on my motor coach , w/ 2 8D batteries w/ the dedicated 150 ish amp alt when engine running is ok, but will only run a couple hours without a charging source, running a 2000 watt generac will run it but the fuel it takes well its just not really efficient, I will also be adding 400 watts solar panels to the system but it will still require additional power ,
Last edited: Aug 20, 2014
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You can get Chinese 2500 watt generator separate motor and put AC clutch on generator part to have a switch on and off when not needed, add pulley and belt to your reefer unit and you have all the power you need to run AC.
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A friend of mine installed a Coleman on his ProStar and runs it with a gas generator. He swears by it.
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007HRN2LS?pc_redir=1408593658&robot_redir=1
I 'm looking at this one solar/ evaporative system Turbo Cool, designed for RVs , has good reviews for larger RVs, should work for semi sleeper and 600$ only;
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