anyone interested in cheap a/c

My 2 cents.

There are rooftop models out there that will have an option for a drain tube. If you are doing a new installation & have to run the power line up between the outside & inside walls, You can run the drain tube at the same time. This keeps the water (condensation) from running down the outside of the truck. This type of AC is usually used on Airstream RVs. Some Airstream DIYers have had their local shops fabricate a catch pan that goes under the rooftops that don't have drains to catch this water. The catch pans will have a drain outlet made into them to attach the drain tube to. If you get bored sometime on a 34hr restart, check out some AC posts over on airforums.com for more ideas. Some of us even post how to repair these AC units ourselves saving some $$$.

 

Thanks for that, but I think I'd prefer the water to be on the outside, period! I have ran into drain tubes issues on other vehicles that cause all kinds of mayhem after a while.
Would be interested in how you fix them yourself though. Does that include a recharge if needed? Looks like the manufacturers just charge them up, crimp off the lines, disconnect the charge fittings, then solder the ends of the tubes.

Martin

 

I am currently looking for a pure 12 volt powered A/C system for sleeper and I like the idea of going to the Lithium Ion Batteries as soon as the price comes down a little more. 12 volt would be way more efficient than going the inverter route.

Lithium Ion batteries are far superior to any lead acid or even AGM and they weigh a lot less with more capacity too.

450 amp/hrs capacity and 2000 cranking amps with li-ion would be plenty and only weighing 141 lbs replacing up to 8 group 31 lead acid batteries

My solar panels with charge controller matched to the li-ions and 12 volt A/C system would be the best system I could get for my truck.

 

Until the sun doesn't shine, and you have to sit for days while a highway is closed etc.
Not to mention it looks a little too easy to damage for what I do.
Box headache rack I HAVE to have for my loads? No room.
Carrying more batteries?
I am not detracting from it, but claiming it is THE best option for a class 8 truck is going a little far IMHO.

Martin

 

Martin,you have to admit that if there is so little sunshine that his panels don't work.............you can easily live without a aircon.

 

No sunshine no need for A/C.

Where do you live that you can't go around a highway closure?

Damage??? December will be 4 years those panels have been mounted up there with no damage to date.

Carrying more batteries is not what I said. The Li-ions would replace all the truck batteries taking up the same space with twice the capacity and around half the weight of 4 group 31 lead acid batteries. Truck would be lighter and not burn any fuel by not idling the motor or a generator. If you sit for more than 10 hours, get a motel room for the 34 reset or get a new carrier to lease to because I don't sit that long. I book my own loads with my own authority so I can't blame the dispatcher why I am sitting too much.

 

Dice,he runs heavy haul.OS
Fixed routes,no change possible.

 

I move permitted OS loads too and have never been shut down due to a road closure. He must move superloads that I have never done, but the escorts can take you to a motel room if that happens anyway. I will also admit my permitted OS loads have never been so big to ever require an escort, but again the escort will need a room too if shut down was required.

 

Never been shut down due to road closure, weather, and so on?
Happens on a pretty regular basis to me and the folks I know. I ran non escort load and got shut down for @3days in Wy. Been shut down in SD due to fog, and so on. Basically, the size of the load is irrelevant to the DOT, a permitted load is NOT allowed to travel when inclement weather is present.
Motels are a major pain, due to me having a German Shepherd on the truck with me at all times. Not to mention, my truck is more comfortable than 95% of motel rooms out there.
Pilots are a toss up. Some you would ride with, some you wouldn't, some you just want to get rid of at the earliest possible chance you get. I have pilots most weeks, so have a little experience with them. Mind, they all will fill gas cans up for me, so not all bad I guess.
And AC isnt the only thing I run off the generator. Heat, block heater, battery charger, and so on.
No need to get defensive, as I said, I wasn't detracting from your deal at all. I personally have not discovered the "Best" solution, as they ALL have their downfalls.
Martin

 

Sorry you went on the defensive and now can we get back to the thread subject without the "who has pulled biggest loads in the worst weather info"?

95% or less of the trucking industry doesn't do permitted OS loads anyway.