Rooftop AC

The EU3000is does indeed have a 12 volt (unregulated) output. On econ mode, it is 4amps (ONLY if nothing else is plugged in), and on high idle, it is 12 amps. The cost of running it with the econ turned off though makes the battery charger a lot better proposition. On econ mode, it burns 2 gallons in @10-12hrs of ac. With it turned off, it burns @3.4 gallons in @7-8hrs!
Thus the battery charger.
I also looked at the inverter/chargers, but $$$$$!

Martin

 

Gotcha Martin,,,now I understand the charger need,,,BUT you keep IN-verting my CON-verter!

IN-verters change 12vdc into 120vac!

CON-verters change 120vac into 12vdc, like a battery charger, but have alota benefits a simple charger does not like,,,, allowing the VEHICLES charging system to function normally while the CON-VERTER stays hardwired into the system.

Tried to tell ya'll this before but this IN-verter B/S negated what I was saying about the CON-verters. INVERTERS & CONVERTERS ain't the same animals! Typical converter for an r/v will run ya less than a hundred bucks and solve the problem.

Anyway, whatever works for you.

Later bro...
R.

 

Great thread, great info. Just surprised with the Irish, Scots and Yanks all contributing that anything got done. I'm a Limey, so as normal I arrived late to the party and looking to take all the credit.

 

Limey here too mate! Well I was in 1999 when I got off the plane anyways....
We are loading in Wessington Springs, SD every week, so feel free to take a road trip complete with Boddingtons!

Rob,
Here are the ones I was talking about...
http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/inverter-chargers/overview.aspx

Martin

 

Ok, its been over a week I've been out here with this rooftop and this is what I've got to say about it....

The #### thing will freeze you out ! It works too good, but, because I have a bulkhead between the sleeper and the cap, it restricts the air flow from the vent forward. Basically it gets so cold that the unit doesn't run long enough to cool the cab down.

It was suggested that I buy a fan to blow air forward by 2 different guys that also run rooftops. Tonight I bought this nice little personal 3 spd fan from walmart for $12 that is about 10" square and hung it from the top bunk blowing froward and what a difference this has made.... my goose bumps have goose bumps.

Needless to say, I'm sad to have lost the vent I had as it made a big difference in being able to vent the heat out the sleeper, but at the same time I'm very pleased with this decision I've made in install a rooftop in its place.

Now excuse me while I go turn everything off cause the thermometer says its like 65 deg in the truck and I'm freezing my ars off.

 

What the hell is in Wessington Springs?

 

Lay down yard for these mate....

Star,
I made some aluminum pieces that deflect the air downwards from the inside vents mate, dont know if those would work for you? The inner panel is far from ideal in design for a big rig IMHO. I was actually thinking about cutting a hole in the middle of the lower panel and putting a vent in there that can be closed/directed etc.

Martin

 

Well, I added a directional vent today, so the air is going where I want it to go! It was also freezing up a little last week, so hopefully the air coming out faster may cure that? Will see this week, as it is supposed to be @114 at the wind site I deliver too.
I also got a fin comb and straightened out the bent fins on the condenser too today.
Martin

 

I've thought about that because the open bulkhead on a Western Star catches the air. The fan though has proven itself to actually move air nicely, even in the evenings where I don't need to run the generator and just want to move the air around.

I didn't know you pulled blades... I talked to ATS about that and the guy was just talking in circles, so I didn't pursue it.

 

ATS talking in circles? Say it aint so.......
We have a total fleet of.......2 trailers
We are actually renting one from ATS this year, so have a full set of trucks instead of needing a 3rd truck. Of course, the trailer they rented them is the oldest POS around, so it has been fun getting the company driver ready to rock n roll. His first year of doing it didn't help neither.

Martin