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12V A/C anyone?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Lockport, Apr 30, 2023.

Page 1 of 11
  1. Apr 30, 2023 #1
    Lockport

    Lockport Light Load Member

    170
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    Mar 26, 2011
    Lockport, MB, CAN
    0
    I've heard some discussion, and seen very few, of these Residential/Semi Commercial split heat pumps providing cooling and heating without idling. But from what I've read most, if not all, seen to be running them if small, portable gas powered generators at, say 2,000 watts continuous. I can't imagine these units are holding up to the environment their being placed in what with dirt and vibration alone.
    Years ago the 12V A/C unit with a back pack on the back of cab and an internal unit with controls and blower were seemingly available, but at $2500 they just never seemed to catch on. I had one once in a KW Studio but sure to the upper bunk I'd ended up mounting it under the lower bunk and it was basically worthless.
    I'm in a unique situation because I have a Carrier Comfort Pro but the 110V, HVAC do not work. The $5000 carrier wants just for parts to get it fully functional just seems like highway robbery at present. What it will do is start and stop to keep the batteries charged and earn the engine with shared coolant. I bought a PHP (Parking Heater Pro) last year. Somewhere between an Espar/Wabasto and the cheap Chinese heaters. That worked very well.
    The other day, for less than $500, I ordered a 12V unit with a BOC compressor, condenser and cooling fan with an internal blower, controller and remote. It's widest point is 19in. I'm at odds over whether to mount it by head, where it will likely keep me awake with SK the other green lights and cell charger aperture side my head. Or by my feet, where is it's anything like the last one I had, simply will prove a waste of money and battery drain.

    I'm curious to know if anyone has experience with these and the pros and cons you found.

    Be safe!
     

    Attached Files:

    Lockport, Apr 30, 2023
    Lockport, Apr 30, 2023
    #1
    singlescrewshaker and Bean Jr. Thank this.
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  3. Apr 30, 2023 #2
    Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Arkansas
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    This guy had a good setup, heat or cool unit.

    5749C8E3-20C9-40A3-B2B2-66273CC1E134.jpeg
     

    Attached Files:

    Judge, Apr 30, 2023
    Judge, Apr 30, 2023
    #2
    Keepforgettingmypassword, Snow Hater, Rideandrepair and 6 others Thank this.
  4. Apr 30, 2023 #3
    Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    Mar 30, 2014
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    Share more info! I would love to set up a system like that.
     
    Bean Jr., Apr 30, 2023
    Bean Jr., Apr 30, 2023
    #3
    Keepforgettingmypassword, Rideandrepair and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  5. May 1, 2023 #4
    Cdemars316

    Cdemars316 Medium Load Member

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    3,181
    Nov 10, 2018
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    Domestic rtx2500 12v system roof or I'm pretty sure it can be side mounted also I have one sitting in my garage but have had other stuff to do and it's not hot enough up here I still have the heated blanket on at night. I think a couple other guys on here run them off of epu setups and like them
     
    Cdemars316, May 1, 2023
    Cdemars316, May 1, 2023
    #4
    Rideandrepair and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  7. May 2, 2023 #5
    Lockport

    Lockport Light Load Member

    170
    112
    Mar 26, 2011
    Lockport, MB, CAN
    0
    Looks good, but the gas generator has to be an inconvenience. Constantly going outside to start or stop. And how well will that residential setup survive the dirt and vibration. I just don't see enough of these to instill any confidence.
     
    Lockport, May 2, 2023
    Lockport, May 2, 2023
    #5
    Rideandrepair and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  8. May 2, 2023 #6
    Lockport

    Lockport Light Load Member

    170
    112
    Mar 26, 2011
    Lockport, MB, CAN
    0
    That is a good looking unit. What did you pay for that?
     
    Lockport, May 2, 2023
    Lockport, May 2, 2023
    #6
    Rideandrepair and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  9. May 3, 2023 #7
    Cdemars316

    Cdemars316 Medium Load Member

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    Nov 10, 2018
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    Wanna say it was like $2700 actually bought it to convert a 14' trailer to an RV but then bought a sidexside instead of a wheeler and figured out that wouldn't fit in the trailer I had so it's going in my sleeper instead in all honesty right now I rarely need one considering I spend all my time in north dakota and Minnesota but figured it couldn't hurt
     
    Cdemars316, May 3, 2023
    Cdemars316, May 3, 2023
    #7
    Rideandrepair and singlescrewshaker Thank this.
  10. May 3, 2023 #8
    skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

    3,838
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    Apr 10, 2012
    Indiana
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    Yes, battery capacity is the drawback.

    Theres no gettig around the physics, you need to provide about 500 watts/40 amps an hour worth of charging in order to not drain the truck battery
    Or
    Multiply 50x desired runtime for ah capacity+ depth of discharge for your battery bank. so 10 hrs x 40 = 400 amp hrs. deep cycles can discharge dow to 20%, lithium all the way to 0, but battery degrades a bit, so add 20% giving you a roughly 500 amp hr battery bank.

    It doesnt matter if you want a 110 unit or a 12v unit, physics is physics.

    Since your apu still will kick on to generate power, thats fine, it will also run a bit more consistently since its just running the alternator instead of a compressor.
     
    skallagrime, May 3, 2023
    skallagrime, May 3, 2023
    #8
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  11. May 3, 2023 #9
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Aug 8, 2015
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    My neighbor just got one. Along with a portable 2 hose A/C unit. I see they’re on sale now at HF. Runtime 11 hrs.
     
    Rideandrepair, May 3, 2023
    Rideandrepair, May 3, 2023
    #9
    Siinman Thanks this.
  12. May 3, 2023 #10
    Cdemars316

    Cdemars316 Medium Load Member

    622
    3,181
    Nov 10, 2018
    0
    That domestic unit draws 17 amps in normal operation, 2 200ah batteries have no issue running that air conditioner for 10-12 hours, obviously if it's like Arizona hot outside 10 hours might not work, it also helps having everything cool to begin with the truck ac. I would never recommend running these off your starting batteries, you need a batteries apu set up to do this. There are plenty of chargers out there that will slave off of your engine alternator to charge your batteries through out the dY. I have a renogy mppt charger that also excepts solar , I don't have the panel up there yet but that's also sitting in the garage. The way that charger works if your house batteries are completely topped off, it will then work on your starting batteries. It also has a charging profile that fits agm batteries which most engine alternators do not have the correct charging profile for agm's so it'll help
     
    Cdemars316, May 3, 2023
    Cdemars316, May 3, 2023
    #10
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